By Matt Majendie
BBC Sport in Melbourne |
 Gardener has a back injury and a hamstring problem |
England sprinter Jason Gardener has withdrawn from the 4x100m relay at the Commonwealth Games with a back injury. Gardener, 30, failed to qualify for the latter stages of the individual 100m event after finishing fifth in his second-round heat.
He later revealed he had been struggling with an injury.
The "Bath Bullet" said: "Because of the problem with my back, I've now also got a hamstring pull and I couldn't really give it everything."
The Games in Melbourne had been seen by many as Gardener's last chance to win a big championship gold.
He added: "Every time I pushed hard, I could feel the hamstring tighten and I had to ease off.
"That means I can't play a part in the relay and I now need to return home to get some treatment."
Gardener's countryman Christian Malcolm also pulled out of the 100m with an injury leaving Mark Lewis-Francis and Marlon Devonish as the only remaining English sprinters in the 100m.
Jamaican world record holder Asafa Powell remains the overwhelming favourite for the gold.
MMIX
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