Rejuvenated, refreshed and ready to go - superstar Lauren Jackson has the blessing of Australian Opals coach Brendan Joyce to suit up for next month's Oceania series qualifier in Canberra.
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But the four-time Olympian admits her future with the Canberra Capitals is less certain, saying she could be forced to play elsewhere next season.
After spending the past nine months out with a hamstring injury, the 32-year-old passed her first major test, emerging unscathed from an Opals camp at the Australian Institute of Sport last week.
Jackson is ready to return to the Capitals for the 2013-14 campaign. She is also scheduled to play in the 2014-15 and 2015-16 seasons.
The Capitals want assurances her fitness is up to scratch before agreeing to any deal for next season.
''Basketball Australia cleared me a long time ago, they didn't ask to do an individual [test] or for doctors or anything, so I don't think that is the issue,'' Jackson said. ''No one from the Capitals have tried to touch base. It'd be great to get it all done and dusted, but if they change their mind and don't want to move it forward, then I've got to explore other options and play in other places.''
Jackson completed all three sessions on the court at the Opals camp, going through five-on-five practice drills with the remainder of the national squad and steadily building up her fitness.
Basketball ACT chief executive Tony Jackson has said the Opals camp would be handy in determining Jackson's fitness.
''If her camp say she's right and the medical staff say she's good to go, then yeah, there's a strong chance it will happen,'' Tony Jackson said.
The camp was enough for Joyce to declare Jackson was on track for the world championship qualifying series with New Zealand on August 14 and 18 in Auckland and Canberra respectively.
''I'm very excited at how she performed,'' Joyce said. ''Obviously being out for nine months, it was a really good start. Most of the girls are commenting that she was stronger than what she was last year.''
Jackson is also targeting the clash with the Tall Ferns after a successful comeback into the national set-up.
''I did all the sessions and I'm as fit [as I] can be after nine months out,'' she said. ''Brendan is a breath of fresh of air for me, someone who's so positive and enthusiastic.
''I'm getting my body right, and I'm planning on playing with the Australian team for the Oceania series.''
Jackson has been sidelined since the London Olympics and underwent surgery for a hamstring injury in January. The 196-centimetre power forward/centre is considered the greatest female Australian basketballer, and had the honour of carrying the flag at the opening ceremony of the London Olympics.
She hasn't ruled out a fifth straight Games in 2016, and also has plans to return to the WNBA with the Seattle Storm next year.
Joyce worked with Jackson on an individual basis before the team camp and believes her lengthy break off the court will be beneficial in the long run.
''Lauren needed the time off and it's about rejuvenating someone as well,'' he said. ''We talked about trying, as with all champions, to improve a part of your game.''