UK Athletics supremo Max Jones last night backed Denise Lewis to overcome her latest injury setback and defend her Olympic heptathlon crown in Athens next month.

Lewis aggravated a long-standing foot problem in the long jump at the British trials in Manchester on Monday and although the initial diagnosis was positive, a scan revealed she had suffered ligament damage. The 31-year-old Birchfield Harrier now faces two weeks of intensive rehabilitation in a bid to reclaim the gold medal she won in Sydney four years ago - and Jones believes she has the character to pull through.

''When Denise went for a scan yesterday we discovered the problem was worse than first thought. I wouldn't like to rate her chances because so much will depend on how she responds to treatment over the next few days,'' he said.

''Losing her would be a massive blow - there's no way of putting any positive spin on it. She's a reigning Olympic champion and a world-class athlete. No country would want to lose an athlete of her calibre.

''But we must be positive. Denise and her coach Charles van Commenee are doing everything they can to turn it around. She is a very spirited lady and has the determination to return to fitness and compete at the Olympics.''

British Olympic Association selectors will give Lewis every opportunity to prove her fitness - the final cut-off date is July 23 - but she is running out of time with the athletics programme in Athens just five weeks away.

Should she overcome the ligament damage - a mighty challenge in itself - her desperate lack of competition over the last year would severely hinder any chances of finishing in the medal positions.

However, Lewis' withdrawal would not deprive Britain of representation in the heptathlon as 27-year-old Kelly Sotherton - also trained by van Commenee - has claimed a place on the team.

''Even if Denise doesn't make it we have Kelly there and she's a strong competitor - she's currently higher in the rankings than Denise,'' said Jones.

Darren Campbell has been included in the team for the 100 and 200 metres despite pulling out of the Manchester final of the longer distance with a rib injury sustained when he fell to the ground earlier that day.

The Sydney 200m silver medalist - who has already qualified for the 100m - withdrew on the advice of UK Athletics medical staff but Jones revealed his selection for both sprints was never in question.

''We have chosen Darren for the 200m because he's a proven athlete and this is a vote of confidence for him. He deserves his place as he's succeeded on the big stage before,'' he said.

Malachi Davis was not named in the squad for the 400m but he could yet force his way into the reckoning. Davis, realising he was not strong enough to feature in the United States' track and field team, has tried his luck in the UK and was only issued with a British passport last Thursday.

The American has already attained the Olympic qualifying standard but must prove his fitness at a meeting in Loughborough where he will race against Sean Baldock, who finished third in Manchester but has yet to clock the required 45.55secs.

Among others, the two will be vying to claim the third 400m spot alongside Tim Benjamin and Daniel Caines and Jones admitted the BOA are giving British athletes every chance to book their ticket to Athens.

''Davies ran very well during his heat in Manchester but tired in the final and finished fifth. He only flew in on Friday so jetlag was a big reason for his final position,'' he said. ''We've decided to leave an individual and relay spot in the 400m open to to allow other athletes, who have been training for four years to get into the British Olympic team, to lodge their claim." There were few surprises elsewhere in the 47-strong squad, which could increase in number with the possible addition of further athletes when BOA selectors meet again next Monday.

Paula Radcliffe has been given the chance to double up in events - the Bedford star is concentrating on the marathon, in which she holds the world record, but to keep her options open she is also included in the 10,000m. Kelly Holmes is also using the 800m distance as a back-up event for her main target of 1,500m gold.