Danson doubtful for Beijing

Slough Ladies Hockey Club and Great Britain star Alex Danson faces a race against time to be fit for the start of the Olympic Games in Beijing.

The 23-year-old forward injured her right ankle during Monday’s 2-0 win over New Zealand in a warm-up match and scans revealed she has suffered a grade one ligament strain.

TeamGB have put a timescale of between seven and 10 days for the damage to heal with GBs first match against Germany in Pool A just 11 days away on Sunday, August 10.

A statement from the GB holding camp in Macau read: “This is the best possible outcome for Alex under the circumstances.

“With the first match now 11 days away, Alex will continue treatment here at the training camp in Macau and remain part of the women’s hockey squad.”

Head coach Danny Kerry was gutted at the loss of his star player, describing being without Danson ‘would be a bit like losing Wayne Rooney just before a tournament’.

He added: “She’s our highest outfield goalscorer. She was just running and went over on her ankle.”

Since the injury, questions have been raised about the decision to play warm-up matches so close to the start of the Olympics.

“We have to play games,” said Kerry. “We can’t come here for three-and-a-half weeks and then play the first game (at the Olympics) without playing.”

At Barcelona 1992, Britain’s women scooped bronze and despite a good build-up to Beijing, Kerry is refusing to get carried away with his side’s chances.

“Those matches prior to the Games are just smoke and mirrors,” he said.