Kayla Cullen withdraws from Silver Ferns' Commonwealth Games squad with knee injury

March 28, 2018
Kayla Cullen looks to feed Irene van Dyk

Silver Fern Kayla Cullen has been forced to withdraw from the Commonwealth Games due to a knee injury she hasn't managed to overcome.

The 26-year-old will miss next month's tournament on advice from the medical team with mid-courter Claire Kersten named as her replacement.

Coach Janine Southby says losing Cullen so close to the Games is a major blow for both her and the team.

"We're devastated for Kayla who is an extremely competitive and passionate player within our ranks," she said.

"But we also need to think about what is best for her future, ensuring we can see her back on court as soon as possible.

"We are really conscious of players needing to be able to deliver the performance requirements of the team in the demands of tournament play."

It is not Cullen's first time missing a major netball event, with the 47-Test defender also ruled out of the 2013 Netball Youth World Cup due to another knee injury.

Kersten, who plays for the Te Wānanga o Raukawa Pulse, can cover both wing defence and centre and has played three tests for the Silver Ferns.

The New Zealand Netball Team opens its Commonwealth Games campaign against Uganda on April 5.

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