Key Taipan Sidelined as McCall Waits

Cairns Taipans guard Mirko Djeric will miss up to the next month, after injuring his ankle during a training drill.

Scans have revealed a lateral left ankle sprain for the 27-year-old, with training player Gabe Hadley set to enter the Taipans' line-up as an injury replacement. 

Cairns will be sweating on the fitness of star Tahjere McCall, with a hip injury keeping their star man out in recent weeks. He's set to return in a fortnight. 

“He’s one of the best defenders in the league, so not having him on the court makes a difference,” teammate Shannon Scott said of McCall's absence, speaking to The Cairns Post. 

The Taipans have been one of the most exciting teams in the league this year, sitting third on the NBL ladder with four wins from six games. 

They take on the Sydney Kings on Saturday night in enemy territory, in what looms as one of the most exciting games of Round 5.