Scans confirm broken hand for Abercrombie

The SKYCITY Breakers have been dealt a blow on the eve of Christmas, with swingman Tom Abercrombie ruled out for 4 to 6 weeks with a right hand fracture suffered at practice yesterday.

Scans have revealed the extent of the injury suffered when Abercrombie was trying to break through a screen during scrimmage yesterday, and while the fracture is a good clean one as far as this type of injury goes, he will be out of the game for some time to allow the bone to heal.

Head Coach Paul Henare felt for Abercrombie but is taking a philosophical view of the injury.

"I feel for Tommy, he has been one of our most consistent players throughout the season and was nearing his best form again in recent games. He is one of our leaders on and off court and is understandably extremely disappointed to have this happen.

"The silver lining is that we have time to make adjustments ahead of our next game in Sydney on the 30th. As always we will focus on that while Tom gets the right medical attention and support, our concentration has to be on the players we have available, I have every faith in their ability to get the job done while Tommy is out. We are a resilient group and have great depth in the roster, I have no doubts this will prove an opportunity for others to step up in Toms absence."

Meanwhile the Breakers are continuing in the search for an injury replacement for Corey Webster. With the new recruit ideally coming into the group in time for the game in Sydney (December 30), the club will not seek a replacement for Abercrombie and will play with the same roster that defeated Brisbane, with the new import essentially replacing Tom Abercrombie in that lineup.

- This story has been automatically published using a media release from Basketball New Zealand