CLAIRE CURRAN has been forced to drop out of the Irish team for next weekend's European Team Tennis Championships in Belfast after suffering minor injuries in a car accident on Thursday night.

The withdrawal of the 18 year old, who suffered two broken fingers and a broken nose in the accident, is a considerable blow. The team includes Gina Niland, Karen Nugent and Lesley O'Halloran.

It is not yet clear who will be drafted in to replace Curran as Yvonne Doyle is unavailable to play in the event as she is in America at the moment. But Tennis Ireland hope to call on Phillipa Palmer to fill the gap and the association is hoping to confirm her availability over the weekend.