Netball: Magic name replacements

Aisha Bower will provide cover for the injured Casey Kopua. Photo / Getty

The Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic have announced two replacement players for the 2015 ANZ Championship season.

Aisha Bower earns her spot as temporary cover for injured captain Casey Kopua, while Kristiana Manu'a has been named as a permanent replacement player for Bessie Manu.

With Kopua continuing to recover from major knee surgery, Bower, a former New Zealand secondary schools defender, will provide temporary cover for both the captain Kelly Drury.

"Aisha will be able to play and train with Leana (de Bruin) and learn from the insights Casey will impart as she continues to work on her rehabilitation," said Magic coach Julie Fitzgerald.

"Aisha has proven she has the natural ability and commitment to develop her game and is an exciting prospect."

Manu'a, meanwhile, fills the void left by Manu, who was granted an early release from her ANZ Championship contract for a career move to England. The defender, New Zealand-born but part of the Australian under-21, has previous ANZ Championship experience with the NSW Swifts in 2013.

"Kristiana is a player I have watched for several years," Fitzgerald said. "She displays great anticipation and can be an intimidating defender so it will be interesting to watch her step up to this level."