Middleton relishing Wales return after horror injury

Netball internationals: Welsh Feathers v Zimbabwe Gems

Venue: House of Sport, Cardiff Dates: 22 & 23 November Start: 18:00 GMT Saturday, 15:30 GMT Sunday

Welsh Feathers goalkeeper Leah Middleton hopes to make her long-awaited return this weekend, nearly eight months after suffering a traumatic injury.

The 25-year-old is expected to feature when Wales host Zimbabwe Gems in a double-header at Cardiff's House of Sport on Saturday and Sunday.

It was a moment Middleton feared might take far longer to arrive.

She sustained a compound ankle dislocation during a Netball Super League match in March while representing Cardiff Dragons.

The injury ended Middleton's season. Compound dislocations are extremely rare in netball, and the match against Birmingham Panthers was halted as medical staff rushed to her aid, with screens brought on to protect her privacy.

The injury was severe - damaged nerves, a damaged artery, and extensive soft-tissue trauma, but Middleton avoided any broken bones.

Speaking on The Netball Show Podcast shortly after her surgery, she admitted she did not initially realise the match had not continued.

"The medical staff did a spectacular job... when I did come around, both Jackie (Newton) and my partner Eric were there," she said.

"I remember the first thing I said to Jackie was, 'Oh, did we win?' She said 'Leah, the game didn't go on'.

"I was probably still in such a state of disbelief about what had happened and how bad it actually was."

Eight months on, the Australian-born defender, who qualifies for Wales through her grandfather from Gilfach Goch in Rhondda Cynon Taf, is finally ready to step back on court.

"Honestly it's been such a whirlwind, and I absolutely did not think I was going to be fit for this Test series. So it's something super exciting, and I just feel really grateful," said Middleton.

Zimbabwe tests before Celtic Cup

Wales will face Zimbabwe in two Test matches over the weekend as both teams prepare for the Celtic Cup from 26–30 November at Glasgow's Emirates Arena, a competition in which Scotland, Northern Ireland, Zimbabwe, Uganda and Namibia will also feature.

Emily Handyside's squad will be aiming to defend their title for the second consecutive year and the head coach is delighted to have Middleton back in contention.

"I'm so proud of the sheer determination and dedication Leah has shown towards her rehab and return to play," said Handyside.

"Leah in great form and is a formidable athlete who brings so much to the Welsh Feathers."

Middleton, who has earned nine international caps, says the months of rehabilitation pushed her both mentally and physically.

"It was such a challenge, but I learned so much about myself. I'm so thankful everything has turned out well and that I'm in the position now to be up for selection and competing," she said.

"I feel super ready. The girls, the coaches, all the support staff, psychologists - everyone has worked so hard behind the scenes, and I'm just so excited to hopefully make them all really proud."

Wales captain and Dragons team-mate Bethan Dyke, who recovered from her own ACL injury in 2021, understands what Middleton has battled through.

"It's not easy and lots of us in the squad have been through it (injuries). Being there when she got injured - as a friend and a team-mate - was devastating," said Dyke.

"But she's absolutely smashed her rehab, and all the hard work she's put in behind the scenes this off-season has led to these next few weeks. I'll be very proud to be running out beside her in the Zimbabwe Tests and the Celtic Cup."