Netball: Steel pin hopes on Wipiiti's speedy recovery

Injured Southern Steel shooter Daneka Wipiiti will undergo a fitness test today to see if she will make the trip to Rotorua for Monday night's clash against the Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic.

Wipiiti injured her knee in the last play of the Steel's two-goal win over West Coast Fever on Monday night.

Southern Steel physiotherapist Jenny Ferguson said Wipiiti aggravated the lateral meniscus in her left knee and had shown steady improvement over the last couple of days. The 1.94m shooter is walking without any discomfort but has not yet been able to run or taken part in any team trainings this week.

Wipiiti will be put through her paces in the Steel's final training run today to see if she can perform the movements required on a netball court before any decision will be made on her availability for their second round match.

But Ferguson admits it is a tough ask to get Wipiiti up and ready for Monday night.

"It'll be a challenge. She had improved a lot and is not limping any more, but having not trained these past few days makes it very difficult," she said.

Steel coach Robyn Broughton will certainly be sweating on the fitness of Wipiiti. Without such a tall target at the back the Southern side may struggle against the Magic, who are eager to open their ANZ Championship account after a first-up loss to the Melbourne Vixens.

Although Wipiiti may be key to the Steel's chances on Monday night, Ferguson said the medical staff aren't under any pressure to rush her back into action.

"With any injury you just have to take the emotion out of it. We have clear-cut criteria that we need to go through when assessing whether a player is fit to take the court so it is not a subjective decision."

The injury is a frustrating setback for Wipiiti, who is battling to get back to full speed after giving birth to her first child in December.

If Wipiiti is unable to play, her place is likely to be taken by promising youngster Julianna Naoupu.