by Ethan Harris
WELSH hopes for a World Cup qualifying push were damaged today after the news that prominent goal-shooter Chelsea Lewis would not be making the trip to Scotland with the national side, following a six-month break from international netball.
Lewis will continue to play for Super League side Team Bath in the meantime, however she will not be a part of the push to reach the World Cup, which is held in Liverpool in 2019.
Wales will look to compete against both Scotland and Northern Ireland for the remaining two European places for the competition, with hosts England having already qualified.
The goal-shooter also did not feature for Wales during series victories over Samoa in December, but her absence during the qualification campaign will be a huge blow for the national side.
Lewis scored 232 times for Wales during the 2015 World Cup, as their seventh placed finish was the highest for the side since 1991, and her absence will no doubt be a huge blow for head coach Trish Wilcox and her plans for the competition.
“We respect and support her decision at this time,” said Wilcox, speaking to the BBC.
“Players do quite often take a break from international netball and that’s the decision Chelsea has made at this time.”
Lewis does hope to return to the national set-up in future, with Wilcox looking ahead to what her side can achieve against Scotland this evening without one of her strongest players.
“Chelsea is a strong and valuable member of the Welsh squad and has been for many years, but the squad that we’ve got going into the World Cup qualifiers has really grown,” Wilcox added.
Georgia Rowe is the favourite to replace Lewis at the goal-shooter position, with Eleanor Roberts also providing cover if needed, as players look to prove their places for this year’s Commonwealth Games.
Wales play Scotland tonight then face a tight turnaround against Northern Ireland tomorrow afternoon.
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