Two-time world marathon champion Abel Kirui has cited Ethiopian star Tsegaye Kebede as the biggest threat to Kenya's bid to retain the title at the next month's World athletics Championshipsin Moscow, Russia.

Kirui, who will miss the event due to injury, said Kebede is a vastly experienced athlete and was likely to trouble Kenyan marathoners in Moscow.

"Kebede is our biggest rival. He is currently enjoyiong top form and has a strong finishing kick. We must ready to counter him," he said.

Kebede won this year's London Marathon, where he clocked 2:06.54 to beat Emmnauel Mutai to second place.

"Kebede is a fighter and has a lot of mileage in his legs and we must employ good race tactics to keep him at bay. We also need to run a very tactfully race and have stick on his shoulders to read him better," said Kirui.

The double world champion said Kebede has the knack of appearing from nowhere and winning races." He has done this on several occassions and i know he will be trying similar tricks this time round," he added. Kirui admitted playing in the hands of the opposition at the last Olympics in London and warned Kenyans to be cautious.

"We were favorites to win the gold last year but our tactics boomeranged on us. Kenya's Wilson Kipsang began the race strongly and then faded-- allowing Ugandan Stephen Kiprotich to steal the show when it mattered most. Kenyan runners shouldn't 'rabbit' for their opponents and burn out early in the race.

He said marathons are won in the last four kilometres and Kenyans need to be there with others for the final kick. " Maratahon are won in the last four kilometers and one needs to pace himeself or herself well and conserve energy for the final four kilometers," he noted.

The Administration Police corporal said if he was fit for the worlds, he would have retained the title. "I'm confident I would have retained my title in Moscow if i was fit. Having won the last two editions, I was relishing the challenge of competing for my country again."

Kirui will undergo an MRI test next week and hopes to run at next year's London Marathon if given the green light by the doctor. "I'm meeting my doctor next week to undergo an MRI and he should be able to tell me if I can resume training. I want to run in London next year," added Kirui.

Kirui hopes to represent the country at the World Championships in 2015 in London and the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. " I still want to represent he country at the next championship and Olympic Games and I hope to remain injury free," he added.

Marathon coach Abraham Kiplimo expressed confidence that the athletes selected would win the country's fourth successive title at the event. "We have a fairly new team but very determined and committed to do the country proud. I believe we are ready to face the world," the coach said.

The marathon team has been training in Iten for the past month.

Kenya will be represented at the World Championships by Bernard Kipyego, Mike Kipyego, Peter Some and Bernard Koech while reigning women's champion Edna Kiplagat leads the women's team alongside Lucy Kabuu, Eunice Jepkirui and Margaret Akai.