RISCA 400m sprinter Jamie Baulch has had his preparations for this weekend's World Champ-ionship trials hit by a troublesome verruca.

And the World and Olympic silver medallist jokingly blames fellow Welsh one-lap star Iwan Thomas.

Baulch had the verruca removed earlier in the week but has missed at least a week of competition and training which he could have done without.

"It (the verruca) has messed me up a bit," admitted Baulch.

"I tried running but it hurt so I had to get it removed.

"They iced it off which hurt and as a consequence I haven't been able to train.

"At this stage of the season and with the trials coming up I didn't really want a week off so it has not been ideal preparations for the weekend.

"I blame Iwan!" joked Baulch, who has definitely seen the funny side of his injury.

"He was saying two weeks ago how he had a verruca and that we were all going to catch it - and it has come true.

"I must have caught it from him and from now on I will wear socks when I'm around him."

Baulch has had a slow start to his outdoor season compared to his fellow Welsh 400m rival Thomas.

But despite the pair going head-to-head this weekend Baulch says it is great to see Thomas back on the track.

"Iwan's had a really, really tough time over the past few years and he deserves to do well," said Baulch.

"He's battled back from serious injury and who knows what he would have achieved in the sport had he not of been injured.

"But he's shown true dedication and desire to get back into athletics and it would be great for him if he could make the team."

Baulch admits though that when the starting gun goes for the 400m final at Birmingham's Alexander Stadium there will be no love lost.

"I've achieved a lot in the sport but I'm still determined to make it to Paris next month. It would rank as one of the best achievements considering the amount of competition around.

"There are a lot of good young runners around at the moment but still feel I've got something to prove to the world of athletics."