The 28-year-old, who has suffered Achilles tendon problems in the past, said he was "gutted" by the setback.

BBC: Injured Mark Lewis-Francis facing up to two months out

The 37-year-old marathon world record holder was due to run in 2000 but tore his Achilles tendon while winning 10, 000m gold at the Sydney Olympics.

BBC: Haile Gebrselassie to make Great North Run debut

But the 27-year-old has struggled with injuries in recent seasons, missing the entire 2008 campaign with a torn Achilles tendon, and lost his lottery funding at the end of last year.

BBC: European Athletics: Lemaitre beats Chambers in 100m

The 35-year-old's injury problems were sparked by a sprain of his knee and a strain of his Achilles tendon during the third round of the Masters in April.

CNN: Injury forces Woods out of U.S. Open