Hockey: Gloyn suffers cruel ACL injury

Shiloh Gloyn controls the ball from Maria del Pilar Romang of Argentina. Photo / Getty Images

Black Sticks midfielder Shiloh Gloyn has been dealt a cruel blow after snapping her ACL earlier this week.

The 26-year-old badly hyperextended her right knee at training, leaving her requiring surgery to repair the anterior cruciate ligament which will side line her for at least six months.

Gloyn, who has 29 international caps, featured for the Black Sticks earlier this year at the six test series in Argentina, along with two games against Canada leading into the Hawke's Bay Cup.

The injury puts her out of contention for selection to the Rio Olympics in August, while the reality of the injury hasn't fully set in.

"I was shadowing someone and running in a straight line and I guess my right step was a bit too far - it got caught on the turf and my knee locked and hyperextended," she said.

"That's me done for the season, it's pretty upsetting but I'm not the first get an injury like this and won't be the last."

Gloyn said support from medical staff and team-mates has been fantastic and she is confident of making a full return to the turf.

"Surgery will be happening in the near future, we're in the stages of putting a plan in place and will go from there.

"I'm lucky through the Black Sticks programme to have a great doctor, physio and support staff who will help me every step of the way, even while the girls are away gunning for a medal in Rio."