KEY POINTS:
The Breakers are on the look out for another NBL import after learning impressive forward Rick Rickert will be out of action for an extended period.
Rickert had an epidural procedure on his back injury last week and the Breakers have been told their best rebounder and key low post presence will not be back in action for at least four weeks.
The length of the injury means Rickert has been placed on the disabled list and the club is now seeking an injury waiver replacement.
However, with the world's top leagues such as the NBA and Euroleague all in action, the club is struggling to find a replacement of suitable quality.
Two-metre plus giants with athletic ability and attitude do not, it seems, grow on trees.
The club has already passed on Cairns Taipans cast-off Rashad Tucker, while the soon to be naturalised Kiwi Nick Horvath is remaining with Souths Dragons despite being replaced as an import by former Wellington Saints team-mate Bakari Hendrix.
Breakers coach Andrej Lemanis said the club faced a difficult task trying to find adequate cover for Rickert.
"It is not easy to find someone of his skill level and the second part of it is that Rick is a great guy," Lemanis said. "He has done a great job fitting into our team and has been a big part of our team chemistry. Getting those two elements is going to be quite a challenge.
"What Rick has been giving us has been fitting our team nicely. Rebounding is part of that and he is a good low post player who can score with his back to the basket. Hopefully we can find someone to fill the void."
But Lemanis conceded the club would be unlikely to have a tailor-made replacement such as Orien Greene fall into their hands again.
Greene will make his first start for the club against the league-leading Sydney Kings tomorrow night. The 128-game NBA veteran joined the club last week as a replacement for point guard Wayne Turner, who was ruled out for the season with a thigh injury.
