European indoor 60metres silver medallist Craig Pickering will definitely not run in next month's World Indoor Championships because of injury.

Pickering was aiming to justify his claim for the second slot in the British team by competing at the SEAT international meeting in Paris on Friday.

After missing last weekend's Norwich Union Grand Prix in Birmingham through illness, it would have been his last opportunity to stake a claim.

But the former European 100m champion has suffered a further setback, with a knee problem developing into a minor hamstring injury.

"Craig won't be competing in Paris on Friday and has drawn the line on his indoor season," said the sprinter's coach Malcolm Arnold.

"He was just getting over the virus which kept him out of Birmingham when the knee problem came to light and it's now affecting his hamstring.

"His doctor said it would be a miracle for him to get fit enough to run in Paris on Friday."

Pickering's bad news almost certainly means Simeon Williamson, who lowered his lifetime best to 6.57seconds at the Grand Prix, will partner Dwain Chambers in Valencia on March 7.

Sporting Life / Eurosport