Silver Ferns defender Katrina Rore's World Cup hopes are in doubt, after her withdrawal from this week's build-up series.
Rore was set to make her international return against Fiji, an All Stars selection and the NZ men's team, but has scratched from the squad with a calf strain.
The former skipper was left off Noeline Taurua's roster in December, but tremendous national premiership form for the Central Pulse earned her a recall.
The injury leaves Rore's World Cup spot in peril, with selectors calling up Michaela Sokolich-Beatson for the warm-up games, which start on Wednesday in Auckland.
Coach Taurua said she was exercising caution with Rore, who would be reassessed closer to the start of the world tournament in July.
"We want to give Katrina every opportunity to be fit for the Netball World Cup and the medical staff have advised resting her for this series," said Taurua.
"It is a blow for Katrina, who has been in outstanding form this season and worked hard to earn her place in the Silver Ferns.
"But she is working closely with our medical team and will remain with the Silver Ferns during this week’s series."
Sokolich-Beatson, who made her international debut last year, trained with the Silver Ferns at last week's camp in Australia, as a non-travelling reserve for the World Cup.
"Michaela is an obvious choice to make the step up, after being with the Silver Ferns in our training camp on the Sunshine Coast," Taurua said.
"She has slotted in well with the team as part of our build-up and adds a different dynamic to our defence line."
The Silver Ferns depart for the Netball World Cup in Liverpool on July 3.
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