OLYMPIC champion Alistair Brownlee will today have surgery on a persistent ankle injury.

It means the Bingley Harrier's bid to qualify for the Rio 2016 Games is on hold.

The 27-year-old world and European champion could still clinch his Olympic place at an assessment race in 2016.

"My left ankle has been giving me bother since 2013, with a range of different niggles," he said. "Getting it sorted gives me the best chance of being 100per cent for next season."