Silver Ferns shooter Grace Nweke is doubtful to return for Northern Mystics this ANZ Premiership season.
The 20-year-old suffered an ankle ligament strain and tear against Mainland Tactix just over a week ago, but there are more pressing concerns facing the defending champions and competition leaders, as they battle for their playoff future.
"It's been a bit of challenge," said Nweke.
Her injury is only one of the problems coach Helene Wilson is dealing with three days out from their final game of the regular season.
"How can I get a fit and healthy team to play the Pulse this weekend?" she wondered. "As of today, who that will be, I do not know."
Wilson is scrambling to field a team, after at least two of her players, understood to be midcourters, tested positive for COVID-19 over the weekend.
"All we can do is look to NNL players or retired players," she said. "I will be using whatever players are available to make up a team of 10 to take the court."
Failure to do so could result could see Netball New Zealand postpone or cancel the game altogether - and that could affect the current standings.
While the Mystics are already guaranteed a top-three spot, whether they must play an elimination final could come down to the result of their top-of-the-table clash on Saturday.
"You do all you can to make sure they're fit and healthy, but the reality is it's a tight window," said Wilson.
Adding to the headache, Nweke will remain on the sideline for the time being and while she hopes to be fit by the end of the season, there's doubts whether she will be ready by June 8.
"I'd be lying, if I said I wasn't nervous," she said. "I want to be back on court and want to hear from the doctors that I'm safe to play.
"I'm doing everything I can, but in the back of my head, I have this fear of making things worse... but I just want to get out there asap."
If the Mystics are to go back to back, they'll want her fully fit and ready to take the court in a fortnight.
