HUNTINGDON Olympic Gym coach Paul Hall described Louis Smith’s fractured finger as a “false alarm” – but is concerned about Dan Keatings’ ankle injury which could hamper the 22-year-old’s Olympic qualification ambitions.

Smith and Hall flew out to China for a World Cup meeting later onWednesday – but all-rounder Keatings remained in the UK to concentrate on a programme of rehabilitation which will hopefully see him fit enough to take part in the European Championships in Birmingham at the end of this month.

Smith, who has already qualified for the pommel horse for London 2012, damaged his finger last week – but Hall told The Hunts Post the injury was not as bad as first feared and that the Olympic gold medal hopeful will be able to compete in China at the weekend unhindered.

Fears for the condition of Smith’s finger were heightened when he posted a picture of it taped up on the social media network Twitter – but he later tweeted: “I’m all good, it’s only a fractured finger. I’m off to China on Wednesday to compete.”

“It was a false alarm,” said Hall. “He stubbed his finger while performing a difficult move on the high bars. We got it X-rayed and it was found there was a small fracture.

“But Louis is comfortable with it taped up and he was back on the pommel horse that afternoon.”

Smith, 22, will take part in the pommel competition at the World Cup meeting in Zibo, China, over the Easter weekend, and if he finishes the first stage in the top four from the field of 12, he will compete against the best in the world in Sunday’s finals. “Louis has a good chance,” said Hall.

“Dan’s injury is more worrying. He injured his ankle when taking a tumble on the floor and time is getting close.

“He is going through rehab and has a fighting chance of being fit for the European Championships.”