Inspirational co-captain, Matthew Wells, has been ruled out of the Kookaburras Champions Trophy title defence and looks doubtful for the World Cup after seriously injuring his ankle in Germany.

The rugged defender will be sent home to begin rehabilitation to his ankle after significantly rupturing his ligament in a training accident that saw him collide with Nathan Eglington.

The injury has been diagnosed as an eight-week injury and with the World Cup only seven weeks away Wells chances of getting back in time look slim.

It's a crushing blow for the 184-game Tasmanian who, along with the team, was motivated to win the only tournament that the current group of players haven't won, and the Kookaburras' first World Cup since 1986.

The men's World Cup runs from 6-17 September in Monchengladbach, Germany.

Hockey Australia