Injury rules Bedford out of European Championships

Sammi Bedford, 20, has been forced to withdraw from the England senior squad for the upcoming IKF European Korfball Championships after it was confirmed that Bedford had in fact sustained a knee ligament injury while on duty for the England Under-21s.

The extent of the injury to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) has only recently been confirmed following scans and meetings with knee specialists.

Bedford will meet again with the specialist knee surgeons and hopes to undergo an operation in the next few months to repair the damage.

Following the operation Bedford will be out of action for at least six months.

Bedford said: “I’m extremely disappointed to be missing the Euros. I’ll have the operation, complete my recovery and return to the England squad for the 2015 World Championships in Belgium.

Lisa Swain, senior squad Team Manager and Operations Manager at England Korfball commented: “I know that Sammi is disappointed about missing the European Championships, but she’s determined to get back playing as soon as possible. We will continue to support Sammi so that she returns to full fitness as soon as possible.”

The IKF European Korfball Championship will take place between Saturday 25 October and Sunday 02 November 2014 in Maia, Portugal.

Sixteen teams will participate; Belgium, Catalonia, Czech Republic, England, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Scotland, Serbia, Slovakia, The Netherlands, Turkey and Wales.

For the very latest updates and news on Twitter search for the hashtag #EKC14.