Casey Kopua will stay courtside for the remainder of the ANZ Premiership giving her Magic teammates valuable moral support despite her season-ending foot injury, coach Margaret Forsyth says.

The veteran Silver Ferns and Magic defender pulled out of last week's Northern Stars match after injuring her foot in the warmup, and missed Monday night's heavy 76-60 defeat to the Southern Steel in Hamilton.

An MRI scan has now confirmed a tear to the plantar fascia - fibrous tissue on the bottom of the foot that connects the heel bone to the toes.

Doctors say Casey will need around eight weeks of rehabilitation to get over the painful condition.

Losing her on-court experience is the last thing the team needs as they deal with the earlier losses of fellow defender Kelly Jury, with a dislocated shoulder, and attacker Sydney Fraser to a knee ACL injury.

'It is a blow for the team,” Margaret says. 'Casey is such an integral member of the Magic team both on and off the court.

'Our wider squad has had to step up this season due to a number of injuries and while she will be missing on court for us, Casey will remain with the team as she brings a wealth of knowledge, encouragement and support from the sideline.”

The Magic are still in the frame for next month's final series, sitting fourth on the points table. They will appreciate a week's break to regroup before their next assignment at Rotorua's Energy Events Centre against the Northern Mystics.

Magic CEO Rohan West is confident Bay supporters will pack out the Sulphur City venue for the match.

'The support for the team this season has been tremendous – all four home games so far have had attendances in excess of 2000. I'm positive the wider Magic family will continue to fill the arenas in great numbers to roar on the team.”

Casey Kopua will stay courtside for the remainder of the ANZ Premiership giving her Magic teammates valuable moral support despite her season-ending foot injury, coach Margaret Forsyth says.

The veteran Silver Ferns and Magic defender pulled out of last week's Northern Stars match after injuring her foot in the warmup, and missed Monday night's heavy 76-60 defeat to the Southern Steel in Hamilton.

An MRI scan has now confirmed a tear to the plantar fascia - fibrous tissue on the bottom of the foot that connects the heel bone to the toes.

Doctors say Casey will need around eight weeks of rehabilitation to get over the painful condition.

Losing her on-court experience is the last thing the team needs as they deal with the earlier losses of fellow defender Kelly Jury, with a dislocated shoulder, and attacker Sydney Fraser to a knee ACL injury.

'It is a blow for the team,” Margaret says. 'Casey is such an integral member of the Magic team both on and off the court.

'Our wider squad has had to step up this season due to a number of injuries and while she will be missing on court for us, Casey will remain with the team as she brings a wealth of knowledge, encouragement and support from the sideline.”

The Magic are still in the frame for next month's final series, sitting fourth on the points table. They will appreciate a week's break to regroup before their next assignment at Rotorua's Energy Events Centre against the Northern Mystics.

Magic CEO Rohan West is confident Bay supporters will pack out the Sulphur City venue for the match.

'The support for the team this season has been tremendous – all four home games so far have had attendances in excess of 2000. I'm positive the wider Magic family will continue to fill the arenas in great numbers to roar on the team.”