Adelaide Thunderbirds defender Layla Guscoth to miss rest of Super Netball season
ADELAIDE Thunderbirds co-captain Layla Guscoth has been struck down by a serious injury at the Netball World Cup in England.
ADELAIDE Thunderbirds defender Layla Guscoth will miss the rest of the Super Netball season after rupturing her Achilles playing for England at the World Cup in Liverpool.
Guscoth limped from the court in the opening quarter against Scotland and her worst fears were confirmed when she was ruled out of the Cup campaign and final five SN games for the Thunderbirds.
It is a devastating blow for the Thunderbirds with Guscoth having a huge influence alongside Jamaican superstar Shamera Sterling in the defensive circle.
Such was her presence in the pre-season with the Adelaide team, the qualified doctor was appointed co-captain with Chelsea Pitman.
England coach Tracey Neville said Guscoth had been an amazing addition to the Roses.
“It is devastating that her journey in this World Cup is over, but myself and all the Roses are by her side supporting her through this time,” Neville said. “We will do everything we can to ensure she is back playing again soon.”
Thunderbirds coach Tania Obst is at the World Cup as Neville’s assistant.
Guscoth returned to the England team for the World Cup after missing the Roses’ upset triumph over the Diamonds in the gold medal battle at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games last year.
She is the second England international the Thunderbirds have lost to a season-ending injury this year. Wing defence Beth Cobden had her third knee reconstruction after rupturing her ACL in the round 3 defeat to Melbourne Vixens in Mile End.