Johannesburg - Caster Semenya might be forced to withdraw from the Commonwealth Games because of a back problem, according to a report in the Sowetan. 

Sowetan  revealed that Semenya, 19, is suffering from an excruciating back problem.

"We are hoping for the best because Caster has been complaining about the pain for a few days now," said her coach Michael Seme who identified and developed road running star Poppy Mlambo.

"Caster has an appointment with a physiotherapist for today(Monday) and will take advice on the next step.

"Caster wants to see herself running and doing well in India. She is not in the best of shapes in terms of fitness but we are working on that."

Semenya was in Port Elizabeth on Saturday for the University Sport South Africa cross country championships where she competed in two events.

She finished fifth in the 4km and was also part of the University of Pretoria team that won the relay race.

"We decided to go to Port Elizabeth as part of Caster's training programme in preparation for the Commonwealth Games," said Seme.