Swimming: Injury setback for McLean

Hannah McLean

Leading New Zealand medal hope Hannah McLean is a doubtful starter for next week's Commonwealth Games swimming trials, but the backstroker is confident her ankle injury won't hobble her assault on Melbourne.

McLean damaged her ankle over-stretching during a World Cup meet in Sydney last week and will decide this weekend if she'll race in the Games trials at Auckland.

Her appearance at Melbourne next March was confirmed regardless of whether she competes at the trials as New Zealand Swimming have a selection clause covering injured athletes.

McLean reached the final of the 50m and 100m backstroke at the World Championships this year and is regarded as a leading medal hope.

"I'm going to test it out [the ankle] on the weekend, and if it's fine I'll race," said McLean.

"It's really a matter of protecting it now and looking at the big picture and not jeopardising my performances in Melbourne next year."

The 25-year-old was unable to push off the walls or kick after suffering tissue aggravation when a small bone in her ankle joint was inflamed during a warm-up.

She had not suffered the injury before and said it was just a freak accident that her specialist was confident would heal if given time.

Missing the trials would not hamper her Games preparation either as her fitness was up to speed after completing a series of races before Sydney.

- NZPA