KIRBY Dalgleish has worn the pain, now she wants to taste the game.

Back for the Townsville Fire after a 12-month lay-off due to injury, Dalgleish is being hailed by coach Chris Lucas as a star-in-waiting as she makes her much anticipated comeback against the Canberra Capitals tonight.

Just over one year has passed since Dalgleish sustained a freak ACL tear during a routine training session which sidelined the talented guard for all but one game of the 2010/11 WNBL season.

A long and frustrating road to recovery lay ahead for the 24-year-old and plenty of ups and downs were encountered along the way, but all that disappointment will be left on the sideline tonight as Dalgleish takes to the court at Townsville RSL Stadium.

"It's just a big breath of fresh air for me, I'm really relieved," Dalgleish said.

"I know it's going to be a lifetime of rehab for me now and maintaining that strength and range of ability.

"I didn't want to come back too early. "I was really cautious of it and I wanted to make sure I was confident and ready.

"But just being named for a home game and suiting up is exciting. It just reminds me that I'm getting closer to being fully fit so obviously it is exciting," she said.

Lucas yesterday announced that Dalgleish would be included in his line-up for tonight's clash against the Capitals, but the respected mentor does not expect his prized player to move heaven and earth.

"It's just small steps for her and making her feel part of the group," Lucas said.

"She wanted this to be her comeback game but she is still a long way off where she wants to be with her body, the ACL and her confidence.

"But she wants to be part of the group so we are going to select her and bring her into the game."

Dalgleish is a former Queensland under-20 captain and in 2009 she was named the QBL's Most Valuable Player.

Versatility is the hallmark of her game and her services were missed by the Fire, whose entire playing roster had to step up in her absence.

The Fire went on to narrowly miss last season's finals and off-field dramas were never far away from the club, yet with three wins under their belts from as many games Dalgleish believes a bright season is in store - starting with a top-shelf performance against the Capitals.

Last season's grand finalists suffered a 72-60 defeat to the Fire last weekend and are yet to win a game from three starts.

"Now we have home-court advantage and probably a bit more confidence going into the game knowing that we've done it already," Dalgleish said.

Tip-off is at 7.30pm. The game is expected to be a sell-out with 1700 seats already sold at the 2000-capacity stadium.