World marathon record holder Paula Radcliffe is facing up to the very real possibility she may never compete again because of ongoing complications with her foot injury.

The 39-year-old was forced to pull out of the 2012 Olympics shortly before the Games, despite having had specialist treatment in Germany in July.

Radcliffe underwent surgery in August when it emerged her foot problems were more serious than first thought and it was then she entertained a future without competition.

However, she still had hopes of participating in a 10 kilometre race, as well as the 2014 London Marathon, but now she knows she may never again compete.

Radcliffe told BBC Sport: “Targets have gone out of the window.

“I’m very much in that limbo where I know and accept that realistically it may not be possible.

“But at the same time I have a little window of hope and I would rather be able to finish my career in a race, rather than a race I can’t actually get to the start line of.”