Jono Drane faces lengthy layoff with knee injury

Judoka Jono Drane has revealed that he remains hopeful of a place at the Paralympic Games next year despite suffering a serious knee injury.

Drane faces nine months on the sidelines after sustaining a torn anterior cruciate ligament, but despite being forced to miss the World Games, the Norwich athlete is optimistic that he will feature in Rio de Janeiro next summer.

The 27-year-old is quoted by BBC Sport as saying: "Managing the emotions that come with injuries is vital.

"My intentions remain the same as when I first started this journey - to do everything in my power to shape my best performance to Rio 2016. The rest is just uncontrollable."

Last year, Drane won a bronze medal at the World Championships.