Defending world 5000m champion Meseret Defar may not be able to defend her world title after sustaining a foot injury in Saturday's 10000m final, according to team sources.

The 25-year old, who is in Berlin to attempt a first 5000m and 10000m double, finished a disappointing fifth in the women's 10000m final on Saturday and claimed afterwards that she "could not lift her legs in the final 30m of the race".

But according to sources close to www.ethioberlin2009.com, the world indoor 5000m record holder's chances of taking part in the women's 5000m heats on Wednesday look very slim unless she recovers from the foot injury sustained on Saturday.

However, Meseret has trained with the rest of the women's 5000m team on Sunday morning and team officials will wait until the last minute before entering her on the team list of Wednesday.