Haywood was a double finalist in Melbourne in 2007

Lincoln swimmer Kate Haywood has been forced to withdraw from the World Long Course Championships in Rome later this month with a hip injury.

The 22-year-old was to have competed in the 50m and 100m breaststroke.

Haywood told BBC Radio Lincolnshire: "There's a tear in the cartilage so when I do my kick it's quite painful.

"It will keep getting worse if I don't get it fixed but hopefully I'll make a 100% recovery and be able to go back to training and competing as before."

She added: "I'd missed out on a few weeks' training so it was whether I would go there and swim well or just make up part of the relay team.

"I had a scan which showed the tear and was told 'you can't swim on it', so I was a little bit upset but at least I know what the problem is and can get it fixed and be fit for next year."

Haywood, who is based at Loughborough, was a finalist over both distances at the previous World Championships in Melbourne in 2007, finishing seventh in both events.

She will be replaced in the Great Britain squad for Rome by Swansea swimmer Georgia Holderness at 50m and by Edinburgh's Louise Henley over 100m.

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