Or would you rather her sit out so your team has a better chance of winning?

They are two questions which ran through Louise McLean's mind this week ahead of her Bendigo Spirit's clash with Canberra Capitals.

Superstar Lauren Jackson was a chance to line up for the Capitals.

"I was talking to the girls about it this week and was saying I'm going to be like 'Oh my god, that's Lauren Jackson'," McLean said. "I would be excited to play against her but from a team perspective, I'd rather her not play.

"We don't have any bigs and we struggle to guard their bigs already so it would make it hard," she said.

McLean has got her wish, with Jackson sidelined due to a back injury. The forward has returned to Australia after the owner of Spartak Moscow, the Russian team she played for, was murdered.

Since signing with fifth-ranked Canberra (7-5), the Capitals are the championship favourites.

While Jackson is recovering from her back injury, McLean has not yet fully recovered from her shoulder injury.

"I'm probably at 80 per cent, so I'm not far off. There's just some things which are hard, like making long court passes," she said.

The former Warrnambool Mermaid was reasonably happy with her form this season, of which she has played every game.

"I've started the last three or four games, which I'm happy with," she said. "I'd like to be playing more minutes.

"I'm averaging about 20 but I'd like to be playing 30.

"I just need to be a bit more consistent," she said.

"Last weekend I shot 13 points and the week before I only had four." The 25-year-old is averaging 7.6 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game.

Her best match was against the AIS, when she scored 16 points, grabbed five rebounds and dished off two assists.

Her fitness has increased due to her studying to become a personal trainer.

"I do that four days a week and there's a lot of practical work which really helps me," she said.

"I get pretty tired and sore but come the second half of the season, it will be a big benefit."

The Spirit (8-3) is sitting in third spot.

It trails second-placed Sydney by .22 per cent.

"There's probably two other games we should've won, so that's a little bit disappointing," McLean said.

"We've got a hard run home to Christmas because we play Canberra and Bulleen twice.

''We want to stay in the top four." The Spirit hosts the Capitals tomorrow.