Fi Toner has pointed to perfect timing and unfinished business after committing herself to Team Northumbria for the remainder of the Netball Superleague season.
The versatile defender enjoyed two seasons at Sport Central before focusing on her career with financial giants Deloitte in Dublin.
But Toner was quick to answer the call for reinforcements when TN skipper Kati Cooper was ruled out for the rest of the campaign with a knee injury.
And she has been joined by fellow Northern Ireland international Noleen Lennon - another former TN favourite drafted in to replace injured England defender Leah Kennedy.
“I already knew the setup at Northumbria after two seasons there and when I heard that Kati had suffered an ACL injury I guessed they would be looking to sign a replacement,” said Toner.
“Vicky Burgess reached out to me initially and then I got a call from Te Aroha Keenan explaining the situation.
“I’d just received my results for my final set of exams and so it was good timing in that respect. I had a chat with my employers in Dublin and asked them whether it would be possible for me to commit to TN at weekends. They were fine about it.
“I wanted to do it and it felt like the right thing to do. I managed to make it across to Newcastle two days before the Manchester Thunder game last month and settled straight back in again.
“Hooking up with Noleen again is great and we’re both determined to do everything we can to get that first with for TN.”
Keenan’s side is still searching for a first victory of the season with expansion franchise Severn Stars on Tyneside tomorrow night.
Both Toner and Lennon are set to make the starting seven with the latter initially used in a defensive role.
“Now we’ve signed Noleen as a replacement for Leah we have options,” added Toner. “Noleen is such a versatile player that she adds something to both ends of the court. She was a shooter when she last played for TN but she’s become a key defensive player for Northern Ireland in the last couple of years.
“In the final match of the Commonwealth Games against Wales she played goal keeper and looked really good. She’s really worked on the position since then and can certainly make an impact there in the NSL.
“We’re going into the Sirens game full of confidence after an encouraging performance against Bath. Te was delighted with the attitude and commitment we showed against an experienced Bath team and things have progressed even in the short time I’ve been back.
“We feel we can beat Sirens and get our season going.”
Tonight’s clash starts at 6pm. Tickets are still on sale.
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