William Xalco to replace Harpal Singh in Commonwealth

Melbourne, Mar 14 (UNI) Taking no chances, the Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) has decided to rush 22-year old full back William Xalco to replace Harpal Singh in the team for the Commonwealth Game here.

This has been necessitated due to a chicken pox bout contacted by the Namdhari defender a few days ago.

Indian chief coach Rajinder Singh Jr said here today that Harpal's face and upper body was covered with the disease marks and would take considerable time for the scales to heal.

''We had requested IHF to send a suitable replacement immediately for him,'' he said.

Xalco, who last played for India in the Champions Trophy at Chennai last December had to sit out from the six Test India-Pakistan series in February due to injury.

The team management here is keeping its fingers crossed that the up and coming Bharat Petroleum player will lend stability to their defence.

Xalco is expected to arrive in the Victorian capital before India's opening fixture against the Kuala Lumpur Commonwealth silver medallists Malaysia on Friday.

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