British team captain Jamie Baulch has withdrawn from the World Indoor Championships which begin in Lisbon on Friday.

Baulch, omitted from the 400 metres individual competition he won two years in Maebashi but selected to run in the relay, is nursing a back injury and is currently in Germany receiving treatment.

"It looks as if I will be unable to take up the honour of being the British team captain and helping the 4x400 team to a gold medal and possible world record," said the Welshman on Wednesday.

"I aggravated an old back injury in the gym earlier this week and travelled to Munich today to receive treatment.

"I will test the injury out tomorrow in training and if there has been no improvement I will inform the British team in Lisbon of my withdrawal.

"I have kept British Athletics informed of this situation and they have confirmed that they would not want an 80% Jamie Baulch at the championships, which could then jeopardise my outdoor season."

Last year's European Cup winner Larry Achike, who has a bruised heel, has pulled out of the triple jump while Marcia Richardson misses the 60m sprint with a knee injury.