GB hockey skipper Walsh, broken, plated but not bowing out of the Olympic Games, for now

[img_assist|nid=3730|title=Broken jaw|desc=GB skipper Kate Walsh (left) has had surgery but may continue at the London 2012 Olympic Games – pic Andy Smith|link=node|align=right|width=220|height=126]Great Britain women’s hockey captain Kate Walsh has had surgery on a fractured jaw received in the closing minutes of GB’s 4-0 win over Japan on Sunday night.

The 32-year-old has had a plate inserted into her jaw to stabilise the fracture.

A statement from Team GB reads: “Her recovery from the operation will be monitored and her ongoing participation in the Olympic Games will be reviewed following her return to the athletes’ village. 

“The injury itself is not expected to prevent Walsh from playing hockey. Her continued participation is dependent on her recovery from the surgery and this will be assessed on an ongoing basis over the coming days.”

Walsh was accidentally hit on the left side of her jaw by a stick while making a tackle four minutes from the end of the match at the Riverbank Arena. If she is unfit to continue in the tournament, Great Britain’s reserve field player is 25-year-old Natalie Seymour of Canterbury.

GB’s next two games are Korea at 4pm tomorrow (Tuesday July 31) then Belgium at 7pm, Thursday.

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