WITH time ticking down to try and make the team for next month’s World Junior Championships, injury was the last thing Rainford’s Danielle McGifford needed – although the heptathlete insists she is not giving up hope just yet.

Last month the 19-year-old recorded a new personal best score of 5113 points on the way to defending her title at the England Under-20 Combined Championships in Bedford.

It was a way short of the required 5500 qualifying standard for selection for the Great Britain World Junior team for Oregon, although came just weeks after being involved in a car crash.

She was back in action last weekend at the England Athletics U20 Championships in Bedford but despite whiplash appearing to be the only injury from the crash, McGifford has since been troubled by a nerve issue in her right hip.

The problem restricted her performances leaving her fifth in the long jump while she withdrew from the final of the 110m hurdles.

And while the qualification period is now shut for all athletics disciplines, the Edghill University student is aiming to have impressed selectors regardless.

“It would mean so much to get on the World Junior team,” she said.

“I was in good form this summer so for it to happen at that time is very frustrating.

“But at the end of the day there is not much I can do about it. There is no point getting annoyed.

“It came on again a few days before the event last week, my physio worked on it but it came on again on the day of competition. I still wanted to give it a go but it obviously hindered my performances.”

Despite her World Junior Championship dreams hanging by a threat, the season still continues for McGifford.

And with a number of heptathlons still to contest this season, the all rounder is determined to push through the pain barrier.

“It’s not a long term thing, It’s already eased off quite a bit since although it is pretty painful still,” she added. “I’m seeing the physio and we are going to see how long it takes to sort.

“He said I won’t do any more damage on it by competing so I am just going to take it step by step, there are still a few competitions coming up.”

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