Grace Nweke and Jane Watson during the Mystics match against the Tactix. at the Trusts Arena in Auckland on Monday. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz
The Northern Mystics expect to be without Silver Ferns shooter Grace Nweke this weekend, with the star shooter nursing a knee injury.
Nweke had to leave the court with eight minutes left to play in Monday's loss against the Tactix in Auckland.
After catching a ball Nweke grimaced on her landing and had an ice pack applied to her right knee as soon as she left the court.
The Mystics said Nweke won't be available for this Sunday's ANZ Premiership game against the unbeaten Pulse in Auckland.
"Grace is on a graduated return to play programme under the care of our medical team. At this stage she won't be on court with us in round four, but she is being assessed day to day and we hope to have her back as soon as she's able," the Mystics statement said.
It's believed Nweke has suffered some minor ligament damage.
The Silver Ferns were dealt a massive blow at last year's Netball World Cup in South Africa, when Nweke was ruled out part way through with a right knee injury.
Nweke injured her knee in the Ferns' pool match against Singapore with scans confirming a partial tear in her patella tendon.
The Pulse have their own injury concerns with shooter Tiana Metuarau still working her way back from a foot injury, which is expected to keep her sidelined for another few weeks.
Maddy Gordon has also been ruled out of this weekend's Pulse line-up after suffering an ankle injury in the last round.
The Silver Ferns midcourter had to leave the court and is undergoing further assessment.