Leah Blayney, who appeared four times for United last season, suffered the injury whilst playing for Boston Breakers in the Women’s Professional Soccer League (WPSL) during Canberra United’s off-season and, despite some vigorous physiotherapy, needs an operation to rectify the issue.
Blayney, who appeared four times for United last season, suffered the injury whilst playing for Boston Breakers in the Women-s Professional Soccer League (WPSL) during Canberra United-s off-season and, despite some vigorous physiotherapy, needs an operation to rectify the issue.
“We are sorry to hear that Leah will miss the start of the Westfield W-league season,” Canberra United CEO Heather Reid commented. “We know the quality that Leah brings to the team and it-s disappointing that she will be sidelined for the first part of the year. We wish her the best of luck for the operation and for a speedy recovery.”
Blayney arrived at Canberra United just prior to the Christmas break last season and was immediately thrust into first-team action when called onto the bench as a last-minute replacement for Emily Van Egmond after the young Matildas international fell ill during the warm-up before United-s 0-1 loss to Brisbane Roar. She went on to make her debut as a second-half substitute for Grace Gill later in that match.
Further appearances followed against Melbourne Victory, Newcastle Jets and Perth Glory before her season was brought to an impromptu end with a quad muscle tear later diagnosed as 13cm long, 3cm deep rupture. Blayney will undergo surgery on her ankle on Wednesday before commencing her recuperation and finalizing the terms of her contract with Canberra United for season four of the Westfield W-League.
Meanwhile, Canberra United will name its squad for the opening match of the Westfield W-League Season, away to Adelaide United at Hindmarsh Stadium, tomorrow. The squad departs for South Australia on Friday afternoon with the match scheduled for a 1.45pm kick off, local time, on Saturday the first time Canberra has travelled to Adelaide for a Westfield W-League fixture.
