India's top badminton player Pulella Gopichand has pulled out of the All England Championships following medical advice to give "more rest" to his injured knee.

"Though my recovery process is encouraging I need one more month to enter the competitive field," said Gopichand, who won the prestigious crown in 2001.

"I do not want to rush and get the injury aggravated. I will instead wait till it is completely healed," he said.

Currently under the supervision of Dr Ashok Rajgopal, Gopichand said he is continuing with the prescribed exercises and should be ready to play by March.

"I started some light training only a week back," he added.

The All-England is scheduled to begin on February 11.