The Skytrans Cairns Taipans yesterday confirmed forward Dusty Rychart would remain sidelined for three to four more weeks after team doctors discovered a hairline fracture in his lower left leg.

Rychart missed the Taipans’ past two games after a training fall left him with suspected deep bone bruising.

He has missed seven games so far this season, and the new diagnosis leaves the side missing crucial size and smarts according to head coach Aaron Fearne.

“We miss his experience and physical presence … and more than anything his calming influence,” Fearne said of the Rychart’s absence.

“We’ll keep him as fit as possible (in the meantime), but nothing replaces running up and down the basketball court,” he said.

Fearne said forwards Alex Loughton, Cameron Tragardh and Shane Edwards must retain their recent form if his side was to continue its path towards the top four.

“Alex, Cam and Shane have done a good job holding up their end of the bargain, and they’re going to have to keep moving forward and improving,” he said.

“I think the three of them have found a little bit of rhythm with their games and with each other, and they’ve rebounded pretty well the past few games too.

“We’re going to need those big efforts every week if we’re going to win ball games.”

Fearne said the Snakes’ development players would need to prove themselves in Rychart’s absence to secure a spot in the Taipans ten.

“They have to come out and prove it from Monday to Friday,” he said.

“You have to keep working because anything can happen. I’ve personally been through that as a NBL player early in my career, and you just don’t know.

“If you’re ready and you work hard and stay positive, your time will come and you have to make the most of it.”

The Taipans travel to Melbourne this weekend for a Sunday rematch with the Melbourne Tigers. Tip-off at 2pm Melbourne time.