Taipans scramble to fill gap
THE Taipans are on the hunt for an injury replacement for Michael Carrera after the import had knee surgery earlier this week and is expected to miss the opening month of the NBL season.
The Venezuelan appeared in positive spirits yesterday afternoon at the club’s photo shoot for their annual Taipans poster at the Australian Armour and Artillery Museum.
Scans revealed he had suffered a medial meniscal tear after the second preseason game against the Perth Wildcats, and to eliminate risk of further injury throughout the season, surgery was decided to be the safest option.
Surgery for Carrera is cause for concern for the Snakes as they are working Nate Jawai and Scoochie Smith back into their line-up following injury concerns.
Coach Aaron Fearne said the club would consider an injury replacement.
“Maybe, we will see what happens,” Fearne said.
“If we go that way, obviously it would be sooner the better.
“If not, then we will go with what we have got and play like we did last year when we had to do that.”
The injury looks set to force the swingman out of the first eight games of the season with a return a chance against Melbourne on November 9.