SINGAPORE - National diver Timothy Lee has been forced to withdraw from next month's Commonwealth Games in Australia through injury.

The 23-year-old had picked up an ankle injury - diagnosed as a peroneal tendon subluxation (movement over tendon) last November at the Diving Grand Pr ix Gold Coast.

He sought medical treatment hoping to be able to recover in time for the April 4-15 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast but was unable to make a full recovery.

He will now undergo surgery in a bid to correct the problem.

He said on Tuesday (March 6): "While it is disappointing to not be able to compete at the Commonwealth Games, I will work closely with the medical team at the Singapore Sports Institute in getting myself back to full fitness as soon as possible."

With Lee's withdrawal, twin Mark will be Singapore's sole diving representative at the Commonwealth Games. He will compete in the 1m and 3m individual springboard events, which Timothy was also pencilled to take part in.

The duo were also due to compete in the synchronised 3m springboard event.

The brothers are both Spex Scholars and won a silver medal in the synchronised 3m springboard event at the past three SEA Games.

Mark has also won one silver and two bronze medals in the individual event at the biennial Games.

The Republic will send 58 athletes across 12 sports - athletics, badminton, cycling, diving, gymnastics, lawn bowls, shooting, swimming, table tennis, beach volleyball, weightlifting and para sports - to the Commonwealth Games.

At the previous edition in Glasgow in 2014, Singapore's contingent of 70 athletes won eight gold, five silver and four bronze medals.