Netball: Leota's injury a blow for midcourt

Liana Leota. Photo / Martin Sykes

The Silver Ferns' depleted midcourt has taken another hit in the lead-up to Sunday's opening test against England, with lively wing attack Liana Leota forced to sit out yesterday's training session with a calf injury.

Leota (nee Barrett-Chase), pulled up with a tight calf after the team's first training session in Manchester on Wednesday and is in danger of missing this weekend's match.

She has battled calf injuries in the past and there are fears that pushing her too soon could worsen the problem.

But with veteran Temepara George left at home as she continues her recovery from minor ankle surgery in the off-season, the Ferns are short on midcourt options.

Silver Ferns coach Ruth Aitken says she won't consider rushing Leota back to action if she is not fully fit, but they are hopeful come Sunday the athletic midcourter will be ready to play.

"She's such an explosive player so it's not something she can hide or get by without on court, so we just want to make sure she is right before we put her on court," said Aitken.

"At this stage we're really hopeful she will be right."

So too is Leota, who will be desperate to get out on court. The 26-year-old proved a strong option off the bench throughout last year's successful Commonwealth Games campaign, and with George out, the series looms as a prime opportunity for Leota to get some consistent court time.

Aitken has few options to turn to on the bench if Leota isn't fit. Pulse midcourter Camilla Lees, a late addition to the team after attacking utility Grace Rasmussen was forced to withdraw from the tour with an ankle injury, is the obvious choice. But Aitken is reluctant to rush Lees straight in to action.

"I think it is important that we make sure Millie is comfortable in the environment before we put her out in the test arena. She's doing really well, but she's the only one that hasn't actually been in the test team before," she said.

Aitken's other options are to slide Tactix shooter Anna Thompson across to wing attack, or bring Joline Henry in to centre and shift Laura Langman up a spot to wing attack.

While the Ferns have been hit with a few injuries, England will field a full-strength line-up after an apparent back-down from England Netball over their refusal to allow players signed to ANZ Championship franchises to play for the national side.

It initially looked as though star defenders Geva Mentor and Sonia Mkoloma would not be allowed to represent England at the world championships this year after they signed to play with the Melbourne Vixens and Sydney Swifts respectively.

But the pair have been named in England's squad for next week's series - something that was of little surprise to Aitken.

The New Zealand coach expects the addition of the defensive duo to give the England team a huge boost.

"The reality is Geva and Sonia are one of the best defensive pairings in the world and they certainly enhance England's prospects of success greatly. So that will give the rest of the team confidence."