Dwain Chambers has been included in Great Britain's squad for the next month's World Indoor Championships.

However, the selectors of the British team have made it clear they felt backed into a corner in selected the sprinter, who was banned from athletics for two years after testing positive for the performance-enhancing drug THG.

Chambers, 29, will race in the 60m at the three-day event in Valencia after winning last weekend's trials.

A statement from the selectors said: "The committee was unanimous in its desire not to select Dwain.

"Taking him to the World Indoors deprives young, upwardly mobile committed athletes of this key development opportunity.

"Our World Class Performance Programme is focused on achievement at Olympic and World level.

"On this basis, it is extremely frustrating to leave young athletes at home; eligible for Beijing, in possession of the qualifying standard and committed to ongoing participation in a drug-free sport.

"Unfortunately, the committee felt that the selection criteria pertaining to the winner of the trials, coupled with the manner of Dwain's performance, left them no room to take any other decision.

"We wish all the selected athletes well at the event but will certainly explore ways in which future selections can be made to match the true spirit of our sport."

Chambers is among the first 21 athletes selected for the championships, which will be held from March 7-9.

Final selections for the event will be made on February 26.

The squad also includes Belgrave high jumper Samson Oni and triple jumper Phillips Idowu, plus the Windsor Slough Eton & Hounslow 1,500m runner James McIlroy.