BASILDON’S Max Whitlock has flown to France for the European Championships but has yet to decide the level of his participation.

The South Essex Gymnastics Club star is still recovering from glandular fever.

And his coach Scott Hann revealed the 22-year-old may not compete on all of the apparatus.

“It could be the case that Max just does pommel and floor but we will chat things over and see what we all think is best,” said Hann.

“We need to be sensible about it though because it’s the World Championships which are main priority for Max this year and we don’t want to take any risks or do anything which may affect him for them.”

The European Championships get underway in Montpelliar on Wednesday, with Whitlock one of six men in the Great Britain squad.

Whitlock won gold on the pommel horse at last year’s event in Sofia having finished first on the floor the previous year in Moscow.

And Hann believes Whitlock’s natural competitive instincts will make him want to bid for even more gold medals.

“I’m sure the way Max is he will want to do all he can but we will listen to medical advice,” said Hann.

“Max will obviously have a massive say in the final decision because it’s him that actually has to go out there and compete but he understands the situation we’re in.”

Whitlock was only able to compete on the pommel horse at the British Championships in late March due to the illness which has affected his preparation for the European Championships.

But Hann believes Whitlock is still in good shape.

“It’s been a new situation for us but Max has been able to do a few bits in training and I’m sure he will be fine,” he added.

The European Championships will be shown live on BBC television throughout the week