The make-up of the Great Britain men's coxless four for the Olympic Games remains up in the air with four months to go before the event starts in Beijing, but it appears that Alex Partridge, who missed the 2004 Olympics in Athens with a collapsed lung, will again suffer disappointment.

Partridge rowed in the four with Peter Reed, Andrew Triggs-Hodge and Steve Williams during their run of 27 consecutive wins between 2005 and 2007, but after the boat came fourth in the World Championships last September, Jürgen Grobler, the head coach, has been trying fresh combinations. That Partridge has not been rowing in the four during a training camp in Varese, Italy, this past week gives a strong signal that he will be left out of the boat for the first World Cup of the season in Munich next month.

Grobler, who will name his crews in three weeks' time, said that Partridge has had “a wonderful winter”, recording a personal best in a 5km ergometer test shortly before the national trials, but his skills may be best employed in another boat.

“The coxless four is the lead boat and everyone wants to be in it, but we can have more than one boat with medals,” Grobler said. “We got bronze in the pair and eight at the World Championships and perhaps those who miss out on the four can make those boats better. I know that Alex sees himself as a loser, but I don't think so. Maybe Alex can do an outstanding job in the eight.”

Reed and Hodge are certainties for the boat, having won their fourth national trials as a pair last month, and Williams is likely to join them. Tom James has been rowing in the bow seat of the four in Varese, while Ric Egington has also been given a chance, replacing Williams. Matt Langridge is another contender for a place in the flagship crew, who are sponsored by Camelot, but he is likely to be in the pair with Colin Smith.

James rowed in the four briefly last year when Partridge was injured. They won at Henley but came a split-second behind the Netherlands in Lucerne at the World Cup. “He is a good oarsman who has made a big step forward in his physical performance,” Grobler said.

Reed and Hodge admitted to being in the dark about Grobler's intentions and Reed said that he is finding the wait frustrating. “I'm desperate to get on with selection and this Olympic mission,” he said. Grobler even split up his best pair last month to try them in different fours, which unsettled Reed. “I row well behind Andy and as soon as we were split up I found it very difficult to get the rhythm,” he said.

Hodge said Partridge and James each had virtues. “Alex races from the heart, he gives it 110 per cent,” he said. “He gives us confidence and passion, but 'TJ' is a lot more technically minded. The past week has been some of the best rowing we've ever done.”