Triple Olympic gold medallist Drew Ginn has been sidelined from competing at the 2011 Rowing Australia National Selection Trials that commence tomorrow (Friday 15 April) at the Sydney International Regatta Centre in Penrith.

Ginn, who marked his return to rowing with victory in the men's pair and men's four at the 2011 Australian Rowing Championships, has failed to recover in time from a stress fracture to his rib that he sustained four weeks ago.

At the conclusion of the National Selection Trials, the Australian team to compete at the Henley Royal Regatta, World Cup 3 and the 2011 FISA World Rowing Championships will be named.

The 36-year-old Victorian, who is aiming to compete at his fourth Olympic Games next year in London, said his injury was showing strong signs of improvement.

"I've been seeing the doctor weekly since the injury occurred and have been really happy with how it has been progressing," Ginn said. "It's frustrating not being able to race at the moment but in the same instance it is not something I want to rush.

"Stress fractures are pretty common in rowing and it is a direct result of the increased workload since I resumed training late last year.

"I should be back doing rowing related exercise in two weeks' time and am excited at the prospect of being able to race at Lucerne in the World Cup."

Australian selectors are considering a range of options with one possibility naming a men's sweep squad with targeted crews which would race at Henley and World Cup 3, before crews are finalised ahead of the World Championships.

This would allow for the return of both Ginn and Beijing Olympian Sam Conrad, who are expected to be back in full training during May.

Conrad, 27, has battled injuries and illness since his return in 2010 and missed the end of the current domestic season after contracting tick typhus in February.

Rowing Australia National High Performance Director Andrew Matheson said Ginn and Conrad both remained in selection contention.

"Both Drew and Sam are very talented rowers and to have the opportunity to welcome them back into the squad is an advantage heading into the 2011 international season," Matheson said.

"We will monitor them closely over the next few weeks to ensure that they both reach 100 per cent fitness, but we would like to think that their addition to the squad will be of benefit down the track.

"There are 18 rowers who have represented Australia at either the Olympics or World Championships chasing the 14 seats available in the men's pair, four and eight which is an exciting prospect."

The 2011 National Selection Trials will run from Friday 15 April – Sunday 24 April, with the Australian team to be named at the conclusion of the event.

The Australian team will compete at the Henley Royal Regatta (29 June-3 July) in England and World Cup 3 in Lucerne, Switzerland (8-11 July), before lining up at the 2011 FISA World Rowing Championships in Bled, Slovenia from August 28-September 4.

The 2011 FISA World Rowing Championships serves as the main regatta to qualify crews for the 2012 London Olympic Games.

Rowing Australia