ENGLAND international Mel Clewlow is prepared to risk further pain by playing for Canterbury Hockey Club this weekend despite breaking her nose in their opening women's Premier Division fixture. Clewlow sustained the injury when she was hit in the face by the ball while defending a short corner in the 1-1 draw at Chelmsford last Saturday.

Play was held up for 10 to 15 minutes while she received treatment and, after watching the remainder of the contest from the sidelines, she was taken to the local hospital. Clewlow wants to play at home to Doncaster on Saturday, but will seek the advice of the England physio and doctor.,

The 25-year-old, who is likely to need her nose reset, said: "They will probably say they don't want me to play but personally I want to because I feel I need to. The longer I leave it the harder it will be. I am not in too much pain at the moment, but I appreciate that if I do get another knock it could hurt."

Clewlow's injury happened after the ball flew up off the kicker of Canterbury goalkeeper Natalie Westcar, who was making her league debut. To make matters worse Chelmsford's equaliser came from the rebound.