Despite the injury, Staff won gold in the World Cup team sprint

Kent's Olympic team sprint champion Jamie Staff fears a back injury may prevent him from competing at the world championships in March.

Staff, 36, picked up the injury at the World Cup in Manchester in November.

"It's leaning towards me not riding but I'll get back on the bike and see how my form goes," he told BBC Radio Kent.

"Obviously Great Britain want to go there and try to win the event so I'm sure they'll choose one of the youngsters who are flying right now."

He added: "There will be a cut off point I'm sure. They haven't told me an exact date but I'm sure it will probably be in February."

Staff, who has moved back to Kent from his training base in Manchester said he suffered the injury competing in back-to-back competitions.

"I actually hurt my back at the nationals and then again at the World Cup," said Staff.

"It's an unfortunate predicament but that's sport. We do get injuries but it's all about long term.

"I was trying to get back to form quickly but I was taking a step forward and then two back, so I decided to lower the intensity.

"I've been seeing the physio quite a lot and things are definitely improving drastically so I'm looking forward to getting back on my bike very soon."

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