Dwain Chambers to assume the spotlight in Sheffield

THE absence of local favourite Jessica Ennis means the spotlight will once again be on Dwain Chambers at this weekend's Aviva World Trials and UK Championships in Sheffield.

World heptathlon champion Ennis has pulled out of the event in her home city of Sheffield as a precaution after suffering a minor foot injury. The 24-year-old is already assured of her place at the World Indoor Championships in Doha next month. But competition for places elsewhere will be intense, with a maximum of two athletes allowed to compete in each individual event and only the winner in Sheffield guaranteed a place providing they achieve, the qualifying standard.

One of the most competitive events promises to be in the men's 60 metres, where Chambers will be up against the likes of Mark Lewis-Francis and Harry Aikines-Aryeetey. The trio have already raced once this season, with Chambers coming out on top at the Birmingham Games last weekend in impressive fashion. The reigning European Indoor champion won the final in 6.58 seconds and was one-hundredth of a second quicker in his semi-final.

At the time that was the second quickest time in the world this season and, although Chambers has since slipped to sixth in the rankings for 2010, the 31-year-old clearly still has the edge over his younger domestic rivals. However, the performance of Olympic relay gold medallist Lewis-Francis was particularly encouraging after his career looked to have stalled following a number of injuries.

Top sprint coach John Smith believes Lewis-Francis can resurrect his career under Linford Christie, but feels Chambers is the more likely winner in Doha.

"I would never count Dwain out and, when you have a chip on your shoulder, it's easy to run fast," said Smith, referring to Chambers' two-year ban from the sport for testing positive for THG in 2003. "I think he should have won last time (Chambers finished equal second in Valencia in 2008). I'll put pressure on him and say he should win in Doha."

Elsewhere, outdoor World Championship bronze medallist Jenny Meadows is out to stamp her authority on the 800m and Chris Tomlinson is seeking a seventh UK title in the long jump after victory in Glasgow last month.