Ennis-hill in pain as she makes comeback

JESSICA ENNIS- Hill admitted her ankle injury was still causing her pain after making her longawaited comeback at a low-key meeting in Loughborough last night.

The Olympic heptathlon champion competed for the first time this summer in front of an estimated 500 spectators at the Loughborough European A thletics Permit.

There was good news for the 27-year-old at the Paula Radcliffe Athletics Stadium as she set a new personal best in the javelin. She produced a consistent series of throws and hurling the spear out to 48.33 metres, a considerable achievement on her previous best of 47.49m. She finished in fourth place.

Tellingly, though, the Sheffield athlete said the injury, which is to her left A chilles tendon, was still causing her problems.

“It’s pain,” she said. “It’s one little bit that’s really painful.

“When I compress it and when I’m pushing off it it hurts. If I had one event to prepare for then maybe it would have been a bit easier, but having to train for seven events and get all the work done that I needed to get done, it just hasn’t happened unfortunately.”

Ennis-Hill, with her left ankle heavily strapped, came through the long jump unscathed, winning the competition with a best leap of 6.26m.

She is still keen to compete in the Sainsbury’s Anniversary Games at the Olympic Stadium on Saturday, where she is due to line up in the 100m hurdles and the long jump.

Ennis-Hill’s return to action is timely with the World Championships less than three weeks away, but she revealed she would only make the trip if she could compete for the gold medal.

Getty. Jessica Ennis-Hill.