Having been a regular GB squad member for several years, the 25-year-old was in contention to earn her first Olympic place, after missing out four years ago for the Beijing Games.
However, when the squad of 16 players, plus two reserves, was made public, the Leicester forward’s name was painfully absent from the list.
Herbert, a bronze medal winner with England at the 2003 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, said: ‘It’s pretty heart-breaking news and it’s difficult to take – nothing anyone can say can make you feel better at all.
‘Since getting the news I’ve had the chance to meet with the coaches and get some feedback but I think you are naturally always going to disagree with their decision.’
