Defender Michaela Sokolich-Beatson has been brought into the Silver Ferns World Cup squad as injury cover for veteran Katrina Rore.
Sokolich-Beatson replaced Rore, who's nursing an injured calf, in last week's netball quad series and will join the 12-strong group on the trip to England.
Ferns management wants to ensure Rore has every opportunity to recover from the injury in time for the Liverpool tournament, which starts on July 12.
Head coach Noeline Taurua said Rore was continuing to progress, but was adamant she'd need to see her in action oncourt, before making her final decision by the squad-submission deadline of July 9.
Taurua insisted Rore would need to be fit to play in both of their final warm-up fixtures against Scotland on July 8 and 9 to prove she'd be ready for selection.
"We want to give her the best possible chance to compete at worlds," said Taurua. "She has been working with our medical staff and she is tracking well with her rehab plan.
"But if she fails to pass a fitness test, then we feel it is important to have Michaela on immediate standby, especially as we are going to be on the other side of the world."
While the experienced Rore would be a significant loss for the team, Taurua stressed she had complete confidence in Sokolich-Beatson to fill that void if required.
"Michaela has shown she is ready to step up, if called upon, and has been working hard with our defensive unit and the systems we are putting in place."
On Saturday, the New Zealanders completed the final stage of their home World Cup warm-up with a second-place finish to the NZ Men in the quad series.
They'll play their first World Cup game against Malawi on July 12.
Newshub.
