Hockey: Black Sticks defender Henry ruled out with ACL tear

Kathryn Henry of New Zealand playing against Germany. Photo / Getty Images

Black Sticks defender Kathryn Henry will be sidelined for the rest of the year after snapping her ACL last week.

The 25-year-old, who has played 41 tests for New Zealand, suffered the injury during a practice match against India in the squad's build up for the International Hockey Open in Darwin.

While sprinting to make an intercept she felt her left leg lock up before crashing to the ground knowing something was seriously wrong.

Upon returning home scans confirmed the damage and Henry is now waiting for swelling to reduce before surgery to repair the anterior cruciate ligament, which will sideline her for at least nine months.

The injury comes just weeks after fellow Black Stick Shiloh Gloyn suffered the same injury to her right knee.

"As I was sprinting I just felt something go, I did a bit of a hurdle jump and then went down onto the turf," Henry said.

"I had seen what happened to Shiloh a few weeks earlier so I think I knew pretty much straight away that I had done my ACL.

"It's really disappointing but I will come back stronger and I have a great team of medical staff around me who will help make sure I'm back out on the turf next year.