FORMER league MVP Tegan Walker is closing in on a return to the women's SBL with the Stirling Senators as they continue to press towards a finals appearance.

Walker, who won the 2003 women's SBL Most Valuable Player award when with the East Perth Eagles, has not played since the June 21 clash against the South West Slammers when she injured an ankle in her first game back from another ankle injury.

The 30-year-old is now nearing a return from that latest ankle complaint with Stirling remaining in the race for a spot in the finals with a 9-11 record to be in ninth position in the standings just behind the 9-10 Hawks.

Walker is happy with how Stirling's season is tracking even though they have their work cut out to qualify for the finals in 2013.

"Obviously we've had a bit of an up and down season. We've been coming pretty good of late and it's unfortunate we lost a few too many games early on by not very big margins," Walker said.

"We have improved throughout the season and have thoroughly enjoyed playing together. We would obviously like to have a bit of a better record, but overall it's been a pretty successful season for us even though it doesn’t really show on the board at the moment."

The 2003 MVP is having another strong season for the Senators averaging over 13 points and six rebounds a game in her 15 appearances to date and is looking forward to getting back on the court within the next week or two. Once she's back from the snow that is.

"I have been really happy with how I have been going. I am enjoying myself again and even though I had a bit of an injury, I've really enjoyed running around the court this season," she said.

"In the last second against the Redbacks I unfortunately landed on someone's foot and rolled one of my ankles. I came back against Bunbury and strapped it all up, but rolled my other ankle with a minute to go.

"I used the recovery time to do some snowboarding in the eastern states, but I should be back in a couple of weeks and hopefully when I get back I will be fine."

Walker has also enjoyed playing under coach Glenn Ellis again this season while also being impressed with how her teammates are performing including Taylor Lilley and Amber Land who are leading the way with 16 and 14 points respectively for the season.

"Glenn has been really good. I really enjoy playing under Glenn and I always have. I seem to play a little bit better with him as coach and I seem to like his style of coaching. I've enjoyed coming over again," Walker said.

"Taylor has been fantastic. She is such a great girl as well and it's nice to have someone of that calibre who has played at a higher level of virtually everyone in the entire league, and just having her around with her professionalism is a great credit for everyone."

Article by Chris Pike