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Andy Baddeley has been forced to withdraw from the New Balance Games in New York on Saturday where he was scheduled to defend his indoor mile title.

The world's fastest miler last year had a fall during a training session earlier in the week and has pulled out of the meeting where he scored a thrilling victory 12 months ago.

On that occasion, at the Armory Track venue, Baddeley just held off New Zealander Adrian Blincoe by 0.69seconds in a time of three minutes 59.29seconds.

Baddeley's manager, Nic Bideau, said it is only a minor setback for the Harrow runner who recently defended his Bupa Great Edinburgh International Cross Country title despite being badly spiked on his right ankle during the race.

Bideau said: "He slipped on the ice in training on Tuesday and has a slight calf tear.

"It's not serious, just a slight strain. He should be fine in a week."

Baddeley said: "It's just a small niggle on the calf and should be fine by Monday.

"The timing of it is more annoying than the injury itself. But apart from not competing in New York, all other plans remain the same.

"I'll be flying out of the UK tomorrow and head to Australia via New York."

Sporting Life / Eurosport