ATHLETICS:It will take something of a miracle for Derval O'Rourke to defend her World Indoor 60-metres hurdle title after a foot injury ruled her out of action for at least the next three weeks, reports Ian O'Riordan.

O'Rourke was due to open her indoor campaign at the National Championships in Belfast this weekend, but all training has been put on hold as the extent of the injury is explored.

If, as suspected, the injury is a stress fracture of a foot bone O'Rourke is likely to require up to six weeks of rest and miss the World Indoor championships in Spain in March.

On a brighter note, Alistair Cragg intends to compete at next month's National Interclubs cross-country championships, with a view to competing at the World Cross Country in Edinburgh on March 30th.