MKB Euroleasing Sopron forward Lucie Blahuskova has been sidelined for the rest of the season with a vertebrae injury.

The news comes as a blow to the Hungarian side who begin their EuroLeague Women Eighth-Final Play-Off series with UMMC Ekaterinburg next week.

Blahuskova has been plagued by injury ever since the EuroBasket Women 2003 when she led Czech Republic to the silver medal and won the MVP award.

After a brief stint Spain and another injury which kept her out of the 2004 Olympics, Blahuskova returned to EuroLeague Women action at the end of 2004, averaging 15.7 points and 5.7 rebounds per game with MKB Euroleasing Sopron.

Blahuskova has appeared in just three EuroLeague Women games this year. She complained of pains in her waist in September and was advised by doctors to rest for three months.

However, the problems have since returned and been diagnosed as an inflammation of the 4th and 5th vertebrae, which will keep her out of action for the remainder of the season.

Ruzomberok have already turned to outside help to replace Blahuskova and have signed Senegalese forward Astou Ndiaye-Diatta.

The 191 cm Ndiaye-Diatta has 6 seasons of WNBA action under her belt. Her last appearance in Europe was in 2002 with Familia Schio, when she averaged 14 points and 6.9 rebounds in leading Schio to a Ronchetti Cup title.