Netball: Injury issues for Silver Ferns

Kayla Cullen. Photo / Photosport

Silver Ferns defender Kayla Cullen has been ruled out of next week's Taini Jamison Trophy with a knee injury.

A regular starter at wing defence, Cullen is set to be monitored over the next two weeks, with the Silver Ferns medical team expecting her to make a full recovery in time for next month's Commonwealth Games.

She will be replaced for the four-day Taini Jamison series by Central Pulse midcourter Claire Kersten, while Maia Wilson has been called in as cover for fellow shooters Ameliaranne Ekenasio and Maria Folau, who are both managing various niggles.

Silver Ferns coach Janine Southby said it was a precautionary move to bring Wilson and Kersten into the side as they wanted to take no chances with the minor niggles hampering the two shooters and Cullen.

"We've got a heavy workload over the coming weeks and while the Taini Jamison Trophy is an incredibly important part of our season, we are also looking at the bigger picture of a demanding Commonwealth Games campaign next month," she said.

Ekenasio, who was recalled into the national team after taking time away from the game to start a family, has suffered a finger injury in the build-up to the Taini Jamison Trophy series while Folau continues her comeback from a niggling knee complaint.

"Maia has been in the environment before and we feel confident she can make a seamless transition back into the shooting circle while Claire made her debut last year and also knows our systems well," said Southby.

"It's disappointing to have these injury setbacks we want to make sure all three are at full fitness when we head to the Gold Coast for the Commonwealth Games."

The Taini Jamison Trophy series will see the Silver Ferns take on Malawi, Jamaica and Fiji, and is their final hit-out ahead of the Commonwealth Games which start on April 4.

Silver Ferns squad: Katrina Grant (captain), Maria Folau (vice-captain), Ameliaranne Ekenasio, Temalisi Fakahokotau, Shannon Francois, Kelly Jury, Grace Kara, Claire Kersten, Bailey Mes, Te Paea Selby-Rickit, Samantha Sinclair, Michaela Sokolich-Beatson, Maia Wilson