NEWHAM &ESSEX Beagle Christine Ohuruogu s preparations for August s World Championships in Berlin have taken a blow after injury ruled her out of the London Grand Prix, WRITES MATT DINER. The Olympic 400m champion picked up a hamstring in training and so

NEWHAM &ESSEX Beagle Christine Ohuruogu's preparations for August's World Championships in Berlin have taken a blow after injury ruled her out of the London Grand Prix, WRITES MATT DINER.

The Olympic 400m champion picked up a hamstring in training and so misses the July 24 meeting, which would have been her last race before going to Germany.

She will also miss the Paris Golden League meeting and insists the move is just a precautionary measure.

But the injury will cast doubt over her ability to defend her world title.

However, British 110m hurdler Andy Turner, who trains alongside Ohuruogu under coach Lloyd Cowan, feels there is no need to panic.

"According to my coach, Christine has a minor hamstring injury, but it is nothing to be alarmed about. I am sure she will be absolutely fine in a few days," he told BBC Sport.

Turner also backed Ohuruogu to come good after some indifferent results of late.

The Olympic and world champion finished sixth behind winner and arch-rival Sanya Richards at the Bislett Games in Oslo earlier this month and admitted afterwards she was disappointed with her performance.

"People are saying that Christine is getting beaten by everybody, but when it come to a championship you can never count her out," Turner said, as Ohuruogu did put in a good performance to win the Aviva World Trials and UK Championships in Birmingham earlier this month.

"She could go into the event with a season's best time of 55 seconds, but then run 49 seconds in the champs.

"Christine is just that kind of athlete - she gets her head right and is always in peak physical condition when it come to the champs. She is a competitor."

Richards is also confident the 'Stratford Express' will compete against her in Berlin.

"It's always best to run against your best competition," she said.

"She's also the defending champion so I also know she'd like to come and defend her title, so I wish her a quick recovery.

"As an athlete, I know it takes a lot to keep you out of a major championship and even if she's hurting a bit I'm sure she'll still come out and put a good effort in.