KUALA LUMPUR: An injury at the eleventh hour meant a last minute change of plans for the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM).
Late on Friday, the national body replaced men's singles shuttler Justin Hoh with former Asian junior champion Leong Jun Hao for the Badminton Asia Team Championships (BATC) in Selangor next month.
It is learnt that injury prone Justin, had picked up a knee injury and will require more time to recover.
"With the deadline to register players at midnight tonight (Friday), BAM decided to bring in Jun Hao as a replacement. Justin has been advised by the doctors to refrain from participating in any high intensity competition over the next few weeks," read a statement on BAM's social media platforms.
Prior to this, Justin had also been sidelined for a prolonged period due to an Achilles tendon rupture.
BAM coaching director Rexy Mainaky was quoted saying: "He will undergo rehabilitation and will return to the court once he is cleared by the doctors.
"We will closely monitor Justin's condition. We wish him a speedy recovery and hope to see him back in action soon."
The other men's singles players in the team are independent shuttler Lee Zii Jia, Ng Tze Yong and Eogene Ewe.
For the doubles, Malaysia's challenge at the BATC on Feb 13-18 will be led by former world champions Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik, Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani and Choong Hon Jian-Haikal Nazri.
Two years ago, Malaysia lifted their maiden BATC crown when the men's team defeated Indonesia 3-0 in the final at the Setia City Convention Centre.
The BATC is also the qualifiers for the Thomas and Uber Cup Finals in April. Top four teams (semi-finals) will qualify on merit for the world men's and women's team event.