Canadian defender Sydney Collins will be absent from the Paris 2024 women’s football tournament after breaking her left leg in a training match, which marked her first game back following a similar injury to her right leg earlier this year, Team Canada announced on Saturday.
Gabrielle Carle will take Collins’ place in the Canadian Olympic squad, while Desiree Scott will move into Carle’s alternate position for the Tokyo 2020 gold medallists, the statement added.
Collins suffered the injury on Thursday in a private training match against Nigeria, her first appearance since fracturing her right leg in February.
“Our thoughts are with Sydney during this challenging period. She has shown tremendous dedication to return in time for Paris 2024, and although this is a hurdle, we believe she will make a strong comeback,” said Bev Priestman, the head coach of the women’s national team. “She will be with us in spirit throughout our journey.”
“With the depth and determination of our squad, it’s a next-player-up approach, and both Gabby and Desiree’s experience will be crucial to our team’s success.”
Canada will begin defending their Olympic title on 25 July against Group A rivals New Zealand.
