Silver Ferns defender Karin Burger has been ruled out of the Birmingham Commonwealth Games with a foot injury.
The 33-cap veteran suffered the injury during the final round of the ANZ Premiership and will not be named for next week's Silver Ferns trial.
The Silver Ferns medical team confirmed the fracture needs surgery within the next few weeks, ruling her out of next month’s campaign.
NZ coach Dame Noeline Taurua admits it's a disappointing blow for the Silver Ferns and Burger.
"We really feel for Karin, who has been a key member of the Silver Ferns defensive unit over a number of years," she said. "She is hardworking, diligent, ball-getter and a fantastic team person.
"We will miss her immensely. We have to look ahead now, and Karin can use this opportunity to fully recover and prepare herself with next year’s Netball World Cup in mind.
"We look forward to keeping Karin in the mix and supporting her to be better than before."
Burger concedes she's still coming to terms with missing the Commonwealth Games, but is determined to recover from her injury.
"Obviously, this is not how I pictured the next few months going, but injury is a part of an athlete’s life," she said. "For me, I now need to work my way back from this and look ahead to what is another big year with the Netball World Cup in South Africa in 2023.
"Like many other New Zealanders, I will be watching the Silver Ferns from home, and wish them all the best for the Cadbury Netball Series and the Commonwealth Games."
The Silver Ferns squad for the Commonwealth Games team will be announced on June 27.
