World champion hurdler Jana Pittman has split with coach and close friend Phil King - and may be lost to Australia.

King said the woman he steered to 2003 world 400 metres hurdles gold would decide her future training base following a 12 month sabbatical away from her former mentor.

Pittman was initially expected home this week to resume training in Melbourne after spending Christmas-New Year in northern England with fiance Chris Rawlinson and his family.

But King - who has coached Pittman since August 2002 - said the 22-year-old could follow fellow hurdler Rawlinson to England for good.

"It depends on a lot of things - if Jana lives in England or Australia, where are the best areas to prepare," King said.

"Jana may want to live and train in England with her fiance - track and field is the No.1 summer sport in Europe.

"At the end of the day Jana will decide what's best for her."

But King did not rule out reuniting with his star charge.

"The opportunity will be there if my business allows me and Jana is in Australia," he said.

"We are still very close, we still keep in touch on a regular basis.

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