Forward Sandeep Michael, who played a crucial role in India's victory in the second leg of a three-nation tournament in Sydney last month, has been ruled out of the Champions Trophy hockey tournament in Amstelveen next month after being diagnosed with viral hepatitis.

Disclosing the news, coach Rajinder Singh, quoting medical reports, said the player returned a positive test for jaundice.

"He has been advised rest for at least six weeks but I do not think he can resume playing before two months. It is unfortunate that he has been diagnosed with the disease," said Rajinder.

Singh said he decided to send Michael home as he does not want to take any chances.

The coach, however, made it clear that there will not be any replacement for Michael.

"We will continue the camp with 23 players and there will not be any immediate replacement," he said.

Meanwhile, the team is training at its high altitude camp at Barog, Solan.

The team members jogged from Barog to Nagali bridge and back, on the national highway, in the morning. It was followed by another jogging exercise from Barog to Kumarhatti.

The team proceeded to the Army Public School Dagshai premises where they worked out for nearly two hours in the gymnasium.

The exercise schedule of the team was somewhat marred by torrential rains which confined them to indoor training facilities at the hall of Hotel Pinewood at Barog.

Rajinder, while interacting with mediapersons, said that Barog had been chosen as its climatic condition and topography was similar to Holland, where the next edition of the World hockey championships is scheduled.

He said emphasis would be on mentally and physical preparation.

The team along with the chief coach, deputy coach Baldev Singh and physical trainer Sampat Singh arrived in Barog on Saturday while captain Dhanraj Pillay reached this afternoon.

PTI - UNI