MELBOURNE Vixens’ finals push has been dealt a major blow with goal shooter Karyn Bailey ruled out for the rest of the season with a knee injury.

Scans confirmed Bailey, the team’s all-time leading goal scorer, suffered a torn meniscus in her left knee during last weekend’s loss to the southern Steel.

Bailey was forced from the court in the second quarter of the 65-56 loss in Invercargill and was unable to return.

The 29-year-old is a significant loss ahead of the Vixens’ crucial final-round clash against the Central Pulse in Wellington on Monday night and a potential finals campaign.

The fourth-placed Vixens remain locked in a battle for the third and final spot in the Australian conference finals with the third-placed West Coast Fever, who face titleholders Queensland Firebirds on Sunday. Only percentage separates the Fever and Vixens.

While Bailey was devastated she could not play a part in the team’s finals charge, she said she was confident the Vixens could still secure their place in the post-season action.

“I see the surgeon tomorrow morning (Wednesday) and from there we’ll work out when I’ll have surgery and the recovery times I can expect,’’ Bailey said.

“Regardless of what happens, I know I’ll be back fitter and stronger next year.

“It’s sad that this is how the season has ended for me, but I know the direction the Vixens are heading in and I know the girls can do it without me.”

The Vixens said they were reviewing options for a replacement for Bailey and would make a decision later in the week.

The team has Kim Commane and 197cm first-year goaler Emma Ryde to turn to at goal shooter alongside goal attack Alice Teague-Neeld.

Bailey has been in strong form for the Vixens, scoring 52 and 42-goal hauls in the team’s Round 11 and 12 wins over the Mystics and Fever.

It has been a year of injury blows for the Vixens’ shooting division, which lost goal attack Tegan Philip before the start of the season with a ruptured ACL. Bailey also missed two games earlier in the season with a foot injury.