Four-time English National Champion Paul Drinkhall has been ruled out of the Liebherr 2013 World Table Tennis Championships in Paris, France.
The 23-year-old, who recently lost his English crown to 19-year-old Liam Pitchford, has had to withdraw from the prestigious tournament next week due to a hip injury.
The English no. 2 will now seek treatment and will not be entered into the World Championships as a precaution.
It’s an unfortunate end to the season for the English star who has seen his Bundesliga side, Werder Bremen, reach the final of the German league play-offs where they will face Pitchford’s TTF Liebherr Ochenhausen in Frankfurt on June 2nd.
A revised England squad is shown below, where you can also find a link to a preview of the World Championships.
World Championships Preview: Teens ready to set the Worlds alight
England squads for World Table Tennis Championships (Paris, France 13-20th May 2012)
Men: Liam Pitchford and Sam Walker
Women: Joanna Parker, Kelly Sibley and Karina Le Fevre
Coaches: Jia Yi Liu, Alan Cooke and Nick Jarvis