Great Britain javelin thrower Goldie Sayers will be out of action for six weeks after suffering a partial stress fracture to her lower back.
However the 26-year-old is hopeful of recovering in time for the World Championships in Berlin in August.
"I am keeping a positive frame of mind that 2009 can still be a successful year for me," she said.
Sayers finished fourth at last year's Beijing Olympics, missing out on an medal by just 38cm.
The national record-holder had already encountered some early-season injury problems with a slight elbow strain forcing her withdrawal from March's European Winter Throws Cup in Tenerife.
Sayers' latest setback will keep her out of next week's pilot Super 8 competition in Cardiff, the European Team Championships and July's UK Championships and World Trials.
"I am gutted to have picked up an injury at this stage of the season, particularly as I was in such good shape," she said.
"The injury itself is not too bad but the timing is. However, I have every confidence in the team I work with to make a full recovery and we are all working cautiously towards a two-fold goal.
"Primarily, it is to ensure the fracture is fully healed and does not have any lingering effect on my progression towards being at my peak for London 2012.
"Secondly, it is to make all feasible yet safe preparations for this summer's World Championships in Berlin, which I still believe is a realistic goal."
Sayers has been British number one in the event for the last six years.
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