Marlon Devonish will be a key figure when Great Britain's 4x100metres relay team use this weekend's European Cup as part of their preparations to retain the Olympic title in Beijing.

Devonish, who will defend his 200m title in France, is the only survivor of the quartet which scored an unexpected success in Athens in 2004. Jason Gardener and Darren Campbell, respectively the lead-off and second-leg runners, have retired while anchorman Mark Lewis-Francis is injured for the season.

Devonish will use his experience to nurture the new quartet but their cause has been hit by Craig Pickering pulling out of the Annecy meeting due to a leg injury.

"The decision to withdraw Craig is purely a precautionary measure," said UK Athletics performance director Dave Collins. "He has a slight muscle strain and obviously his focus is getting to Beijing in top form, so he will concentrate on training rather than competing."

Simeon Williamson, last year's World University Games 100m champion, will replace him and link up with Devonish, Tyrone Edgar, Rikki Fifton and Christian Malcolm.

Andy Baddeley, who won the Dream Mile in Oslo this month, will step up to the 3,000m race and Tom Lancashire, who won the 1500m in Norway, will make his international debut.

Women's world 400m champion Christine Ohuruogu will compete in the 200m, leaving the one-lap event to Nicola Sanders.