Le Couilliard is now hoping to qualify for the 2010 Commonwealth Games

AIB Tigers swimmer Simon Le Couilliard has withdrawn Jersey's Island Games swimming team after being injured in a car accident in Australia.

The twenty-one-year-old sustained whiplash and cracked ribs and has been unable to train.

Le Couilliard told BBC Radio Jersey that he was extremely disappointed with having to pull out of the Games team.

"All my training was focussed on Aland but after the crash I just can't train enough to make it worthwhile," he said.

While Le Couilliard will not be going to the Island Games in June, he has now targeted a place at the 2010 Commonwealth Games.

"I am going to train now for the Queensland State titles which are in December and I hope that I can be fit and ready to post a Commonwealth qualifying time there."

With his experience Simon was a major medal hope in Aland, this will certainly affect our chances in the relays Nathan Jegou

Head coach of the Jersey team Nathan Jegou said he was disappointed.

"With his experience Simon was a major medal hope in Aland, this will certainly affect our chances in the relays," he said.

"But saying that, it does now open the door for some of the younger swimmers to take a step up."

The 13th Games take place in Aland, a Swedish-speaking island in Finland, from 27 June.

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