Australia will be without Sharni Layton for this year's netball Tests after the young defender succumbed to a shoulder injury.
Layton will undergo surgery to repair damaged ligaments in her left shoulder and will miss all nine of Australia's upcoming Tests.
The 24-year-old Adelaide Thunderbirds' star debuted for Australia last year and has gone on to make nine appearances for the Diamonds - including a part in last year's world championship win.
She said it was a tough call to opt for the surgery but one that had to be made following consultations with the team's medical staff.
"I didn't want to accept the extent of the injury because I could keep playing with it strapped but, with the instability, I can't risk it," she said.
"I could end up doing twice as much damage if it popped out."
The Diamonds take on traditional rivals New Zealand in a three-Test Constellation Cup series in September while six more Tests follow in October in a four-nation series against the Silver Ferns, England and South Africa.
Australia's 22-player squad is in a four-day selection camp in Canberra, with the final squad for the Tests expected to be named on Saturday.
NZN
