KENT rower Ben Smissen has been ruled out of this summer’s world junior championships in Germany with a back injury.

The 17-year-old from Deal had to miss the trials for the championships after helping the GB coxless fours reach the semi-finals in last year’s world juniors Spain.

Smissen also revealed that he is planning to move to Surrey to join Molesey Rowing Club.

He said: "I will get better coaching there. Greg and Jonny Searle were from Molesey and they won gold [in the coxed pairs] in the 1992 Olympics.

"I’m going to get part-time work there and get a bit more money from the Lottery."

Smissen added: "I don’t want to rush my recovery, but I am aiming to take part in the single sculls at the Great Britain senior trials in October."