Games fitness bid for Layton
AUSTRALIAN netballer Sharni Layton is still waiting clearance to rejoin the Diamonds as they ramp up their preparations for the Commonwealth Games in the threeTest Quad series in the new year.
Australian coach Lisa Alexander will meet with top defender Layton this week to discuss her fitness and readiness for the crucial Quad Series against England, South Africa and New Zealand in January.
Medical clearance has yet to be given to the gun defender who has been on an extended health break from rep duties.
The lay-off saw an exhausted Layton miss the past two international series played by Australia in September and October in Australia and New Zealand.
“We are a bit uncertain. Medical clearance has not come yet,” Alexander said of her charge heading to England and South Africa in the New Year with the Diamonds.
“I need to see Sharni. Her doctors will see her this week and it is likely we will make a decision later this week.”
Layton was named in the squad for the January series in London and Johannesburg in November after the exhausted defender was given a leave of absence for three months.
Alexander said she doesn’t want to rush Layton’s return to the court given her importance to the side’s hopes of success on the Gold Coast.
“We need to have a sixweek preparation for the series,” Alexander said.
“If she is not able to do that we will not take her away. We need 14 raring to go, fit and mentally ready.”
Alexander said regardless of the outcome this week, Layton remains in the mix for the Commonwealth Games in April.
Australia has won three of the five Games gold medals handed out since the first at Kuala Lumpur in 1998.
New Zealand’s two-gold streak across the Melbourne and Delhi Games was snapped by the Diamonds in Glasgow in 2014.