Jim Morris, THE CANADIAN PRESS

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BEIJING - A recurrence of an old leg injury will keep Amber Allen from competing in the Olympic women's soccer tournament, the Canadian Soccer Association said Sunday, writing another frustrating chapter in the veteran forward's history.

Allen, 32, battled back from three leg injuries in four years to be named to Canada's Olympic soccer team. When the side was announced last month in Vancouver, coach Even Pellerud made a point of praising the Chilliwack, B.C., native for her determination and endurance.

"Everyone feels badly for Amber," said team manager Les Meszaros from Tianjin, China, where the team was practising for its opening game of the tournament, Wednesday against Argentina.

"Unfortunately injuries happen in sport. The team gathers itself and moves on. It's a setback for her. We are going to try and use it within the team to try and be better."

Allen's spot on the 18-person roster will be taken by Jodi-Ann Robinson of Richmond, B.C. Robinson, 19, is in her fifth season with the national team and has six goals in 30 career games.

Leg injuries have prevented Allen from playing in two FIFA women's World Cups.

"With the increased amount of time playing, and training, it has recurred," said Meszaros. "She couldn't continue."

Allen played her first game for Canada in 2002. Prior to the 2003 World Cup in the U.S., she tore ligaments in her right knee. She recovered from that injury only to suffer a stress fracture in her left tibia that required surgery.

She returned to the national team in June 2007 only to break the same tibia in an exhibition match.

Allen again worked through rehabilitation and rejoined the team this year, playing in five games.

With Robinson added to the roster, Chelsea Stewart , 18., of The Pas, Man., has been named as an alternate on the Canadian roster.

Canada, ranked ninth in the world, plays China on Saturday in Tianjin, and then No. 3-ranked Sweden Aug. 21 at Beijing Workers' Stadium.

The U.S., Norway, Japan and New Zealand form another group in the tournament while the final group has defending World Cup champion Germany, World Cup finalist Brazil, North Korea and Nigeria.

The top two teams in each group advance to the quarter-finals along with the two best third-place teams.