Athletics News: Irish champion Séamus Power is resigned to missing the World Cross Country in Brussels next weekend because of a back injury. Unable to run for the past two weeks, Power will give himself a couple more days before officially withdrawing, but that now seems certain unless there is a dramatic improvement on the injury.

It would be a huge blow to the Irish team, not least because Power was in the form of his life. His victory in the National Cross Country in Roscommon last month was one of his finest, and he had intended to use the Brussels event as the main part in his preparations for the London marathon on April 18th.

But his problem started shortly after Roscommon, and after finishing a low-key road race two weeks ago he was unable to even walk with the pain in his lower back. He'd planned on running the Ballycotton 10-miler in Cork last Sunday, but that was quickly ruled out.

"I've been trying everything to get this right," he says. "I've had physio, acupuncture, and been to the chiropractor. Still, I don't know if it's just a strain or a nerve problem or what. I'll have to decide on Brussels in the next day or so, but right now everything is in jeopardy. It's a real curse because I was in very good nick."

The London marathon, says Power, remains the priority, but if things don't improve quickly he'll probably seek out another marathon in May or June which he hopes might still bring the Olympic qualification he so eagerly craves.

Power's absence from Brussels on Sunday week will greatly reduce the Irish hopes of producing a creditable team result. And to make matters worse, Peter Mathews is suffering from a less serious shin injury, but one which casts doubt over his participation.

There is still plenty of hope that Alistair Cragg can make a real impact on the short-course race in Brussels, which takes place on the Saturday, March 20th. It will be only the second time Cragg has run in the green vest of Ireland since declaring from South Africa two years ago, but the 22-year-old has every reason to believe he can mix it with the best in the world.

But before heading to Brussels, Cragg will attempt to defend his 3,000-5,000 metre titles at the American NCAA indoor championships, which start today at his own college track at Arkansas University.

First up is this evening's 5,000 metres, which also includes two other Irish athletes Seán Connolly and Joe McAlister, who both run for Iona.

Then tomorrow Cragg will attempt to defend his 3,000 metre title, the distance at which he last month lowered the Irish record to seven minutes, 38.59 seconds - a time which has left him the eighth fastest in the world at the end of the indoor season.