Olympics-Canada defender Collins to miss Paris 2024 soccer tournament through injury

By Karl Plume

(Reuters) - Canada defender Sydney Collins will miss the Paris 2024 women's soccer tournament after fracturing her left leg during a training game in her first match back after suffering a similar injury to her right leg earlier this year, Team Canada said on Saturday.

Gabrielle Carle will replace Collins in Canada's Olympic squad, while Desiree Scott will take Carle's spot as an alternate for the Tokyo 2020 gold medallists, it said.

Collins sustained the injury on Thursday during a closed-door training match against Nigeria, her first since fracturing her right leg in February.

"Our hearts go out to Sydney during this difficult time. She has worked incredibly hard to return in time for Paris 2024, and while this is a setback, we know she will come back stronger," said women's national team head coach Bev Priestman.

"She will be with us in spirit every step of the way.

"With the depth and resilience of our roster, it's a next-player-up mentality, and both Gabby and Desiree's experience will be invaluable to our team's success."

Canada will begin the defence of their Olympic title on July 25 against Group A opponents New Zealand.

(Reporting by Karl Plume in Chicago; Editing by Toby Davis)