Karen backs buddy

NETBALL: KAREN Greig has hailed the appointment of Tracey Neville as Northern Thunder’s director of netball.

Skipper Greig, who also plays for Oldham, is close friends with her former England team-mate and believes she can inspire the club to Fiat Superleague success.

She said: “Tracey is my best mate and her contagious personality is already rubbing off on everyone.

“But much more importantly she brings real talent to the table. She is a strength and conditioning expert and has vast experience in the sport.

“I am looking forward to playing for her and I will bounce my own ideas off her during the season.”

The campaign starts on January 23 against rivals Yorkshire Jets, with Greig winning her battle to be fit for the curtain-raiser.

“I can’t think of a better game to start with than a showdown with Yorkshire Jets.

“Obviously they are one of our biggest rivals in terms of geography so it is always a big occasion when the two sides go head-to-head.

“I had an operation on my anterior cruciate ligament three-and-a-half months ago and the doctors think I should be fit for the Jets match. It has been a long road back but I am nearly there.”