White Ferns skipper Sophie Devine is in doubt for the start of the Twenty20 World Cup in South Africa due to a broken foot.
The 33-year-old suffered a minor stress fracture in her right foot during the Super Smash, which forced her to miss four games for Wellington Blaze.
As a precaution, Devine will not play the three-game practice series against England - which starts on Saturday - but is still a chance to take the field for the two official warm-up matches against West Indies on February 6 and England on February 8.
White Ferns coach Ben Sawyer downplayed the severity of the injury and insisted he's confident his captain will be ready to go for their opening match of the tournament against Australia on February 11.
"[We're] taking it nice and slow with her," said Sawyer from Pretoria.
"She is tracking well and was walking around today and had a little bit of a catch and a throw.
"Everyone is confident she's going to be there for the first game."
Recently named to the ICC's Team of the Year, Devine is one of the Ferns' most potent weapons and they'll need her at her very best if they're to progress deep into the tournament.
Sawyer also confirmed that teenage spin sensation Fran Jonas has recovered from her calf strain and will be available to play against England.
Jonas withdrew from the NZ U-19 World Cup squad - currently in action in South Africa - to ensure she'd be fit for the White Ferns' Cup campaign.
