Tactix on back foot from start

The Tactix have suffered two significant injury setbacks, losing English import defender Stacey Francis and attacker Sophia Fenwick before their first ANZ Championship match.

Neither player is available for the team’s opening match against the West Coast Fever in Perth on Monday and both look likely to be sidelined for weeks. Francis last week suffered a recurrence of a calf muscle strain sustained before a pre-season tournament in Tauranga a month ago. ‘‘It’s a real shame because she is a great terrier on court and all the signs following her rehab had looked good,’’ coach Leigh Gibbs said.

Gibbs said such injuries could be difficult to deal with after being aggravated, and care would have to be taken when Francis was ready to come back.

Gibbs said the side still had defensive options with Bessie Manu, Anna Galvan and Jo Trip.

Jane Watson has been added to the travelling team to help reinforce that area.

‘‘Jane has come on really well at this level and we are very comfortable taking her away with us from the train-on group,’’ Gibbs said.

Fenwick is awaiting surgery for a torn cartilage, sustained several weeks ago.

‘‘She was sore, then it settled and she tried to play again, but it was not good, so we have been told surgery is the best option.’’

Francis was likely to have been one of the starting options, while Fenwick was part of the offensive mix alongside Anna Thompson, Jo Harten and Ellen Halpenny.