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British heptathlete Kelly Sotherton will miss the World Championships in Berlin next month after failing to recover from a heel injury.

Sotherton, 32, who won bronze in Osaka two years ago and won Olympic bronze in 2004, said she had been struggling with the injury since February.

"I made the decision not to compete on Friday after a running session where the heel was still giving me problems," Sotherton said.

"I probably would be able to go to Berlin and finish in the top eight, but I only want to go if I can really contend for a medal."

She said she did not want to jeopardise her preparations for the Olympic Games in London in 2012.

"It's disappointing as this will be the first summer championship I have missed in my career, but I have got to think about my long-term health and in particular everything being okay for London in three years' time," she added.

"I want to give myself every chance of competing at the 2012 Games. I will continue training to keep fit, but I am also going to speak to doctors, surgeons and specialists to look at the possibility of surgery.

"It is an injury that can be patched up, but it's more important to find a long-term solution, get myself fighting fit again and look to return to full training in the winter."

Sotherton's pull-out leaves Jessica Ennis as Britain's sole representative in the heptathlon.

"I wish Jess Ennis all the very best," Sotherton said. "I know she can go out there and win gold for the team."

Reuters