Favourite Botwright Out Of Nationals

Top women's seed Vicky Botwright, the world No5 from Manchester, has been forced to withdraw from this week's British National Championships after aggravating a foot injury in a WISPA World Tour event in the USA last week.

The championships get underway at the National Squash Centre at Sportcity in Manchester on Tuesday.

"I'm very sorry and extremely gutted that I am forced to pull out of the Nationals," said the 28-year-old in a message on the event's official website www.nationalsquashchamps.co.uk

"I have a foot/heel problem that got worse when I was playing in New York at the weekend.

"I am having treatment on the injury, and while I would love to be a trooper and push through for myself and the Manchester supporters, I am being sensible and thinking ahead for the events that I have in the Commonwealth Games which is my main focus."

Sussex's defending champion Linda Elriani takes over the title as top seed, with Lincolnshire's Tania Bailey elevated to second seed.

The Botwright family's disappointment at Vicky's withdrawal will no doubt be tempered by the news that younger sister Rebecca Botwright is now promoted to a seeded position in the revised draw. The 24-year-old becomes the No8 seed and will now face a qualifier in the first round.