Netball World Cup: England's Layla Guscoth out with ruptured Achilles

Layla Guscoth ruptured her Achilles during England's win over Scotland

England defender Layla Guscoth is out of the Netball World Cup after rupturing her Achilles during the Roses' 70-34 win over Scotland.

Head coach Tracey Neville said it was "devastating" Guscoth's tournament was over after she pulled up 11 minutes into the match, leaving the Liverpool Arena to receive treatment.

England progressed to the second preliminary round by beating Scotland.

Neville said: "Myself and all of the Roses are by her side supporting her."

She added of the 27-year-old: "Layla is an amazing addition to our team and we are so disappointed that she won't be joining us on court for the rest of this tournament.

"It is devastating that her journey in this World Cup is over. We will do everything we can to ensure she is back playing again soon."

Commonwealth Games champions England, ranked third in the world, have two wins from two matches and will secure top spot in Group D if they beat Samoa on Sunday (11:00 BST).

A win for Scotland, ranked seventh, against Uganda (11:25 BST) will see them go through.

The top three teams from each of the groups move into the second preliminary round.

Analysis

Louise Gwilliam, BBC Radio 5 Live

Guscoth only came back into the England Roses programme for the 2018-19 season after taking time away from the international game to focus on becoming a doctor.

The versatile defender battled her way back into the set-up and was named in the World Cup squad after hugely impressive performances for both Loughborough Lightning and more recently Adelaide Thunderbirds in the Australian League.

Guscoth was named by many as one to watch in this World Cup and would have been part of Neville's starting seven come the latter stages of the tournament.

This will be a huge blow to England as hosts of the World Cup, looking to take the title for the first time.