Jessica Ennis-Hill to miss indoor season with Achilles injury

Ennis, 30, is building towards the defence of her heptathlon title in Rio de Janeiro this summer, but her preparations have been dealt a significant blow after she picked up an Achilles injury in training.

The injury will force her to miss the indoor season but the world and Olympic champion is hopeful that she will be back in time to complete a full outdoor campaign in anticipation for this summer's Games - starting with the Hypo Meeting in Gotzis in May, the traditional curtain-raiser for outdoor competition.

"At this stage I'm hoping that's not the case," Ennis-Hill told Sky Sports, when asked if the injury would affect her Olympic build-up. "We're still in February, there's a lot of time before the Olympics.

"I'll be going away and sitting with the medical team to go through everything. Hopefully it won't impact on my summer."

The Sheffield athlete, who has had issues with Achilles problems in the past, admits that the setback is far from ideal - but hopes the timing can be something of a blessing in disguise.

"We need to work out how long I need for rest and recovery but I very much want to have a full season, starting in Gotzis, and starting the season as originally planned," she added.

"As an athlete it's so frustrating to get injuries at any time of the year, but we are still in February so maybe a little bit of rest is not a bad thing and if we can get this sorted hopefully that will stand me in good stead."