The chances of former Australian international Megan Dehn suiting up for the Steel next season are beginning to look remote.
Steel chief executive Julie Paterson conceded Dehn was "unlikely" to play for the side next season but said the franchise was still working through the process.
It was hoped Dehn would qualify to play for the Steel as a New Zealand resident but the captain appears to have run into difficulties obtaining citizenship.
With the franchise's overseas slot filled with former Australian midcourter Natasha Chokljat, it looks as though Dehn's time in the Steel's colours has come to an end.
That is of huge concern to Broughton, who said she believed the franchise made a strategic mistake signing Chokljat before it was certain Dehn could return.
"I was reluctant to agree to anything which would mean Megan would not be with us," Broughton told the Otago Daily Times.
"They [the franchise] said to me `We'll get round it, we'll get round it'.
"They had to make choices and are still working on it. But the longer it takes the more you think it is not going to happen."
Broughton made no secret her preference was to secure Dehn's place in the squad and then look at who else the Steel could bring in for 2011.
"That was a big call from the franchise. I am on board with it in one sense, in that I think Natasha is a outstanding player. If I had to choose any midcourt player I'd go for Natasha.
"So that's fine. But it is a worry when you don't have experience in the attack."
Paterson said the franchise had a performance review at the end of the season and reached the conclusion the team needed some new talent in the midcourt.
"We felt very strongly that we needed an injection [of talent] in the midcourt," Paterson said.
"We also felt very confident, and Megan felt confident, that she would be eligible as a New Zealand citizen.
"So we chose to go down that path.
"There are a lot requirements around citizenship. So that's what we are working through at the moment."
Broughton, though, said quality shooters in New Zealand were scarce, which made experienced players like Dehn and former Steel player Donna Wilkins invaluable.
Wilkins had a falling out with the franchise following the 2008 season and vowed never to return - something which still annoys Broughton.
The pair formed a formidable combination with the Sting and teamed up with the Steel as coach and assistant in 2007 before Wilkins returned to the court in 2008.
Wilkins or Dehn would have been the perfect foil for Daneka Wipiiti.
The Steel has filled 10 of its 12 spots, with midcourter Erika Burgess the last player to confirm her involvement.
But Broughton would have started with the shooting end and admitted she was getting anxious the franchise may have left its run too late.
The Steel has signed Central Pulse goal shoot Paula Griffin but lost back-up shooter Julianna Naoupu to the Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic.
Naoupu was lured away by the prospect of playing alongside Irene van Dyk.
One player who could fill that vacancy is Otago shooter Te Paea Selby-Rickit.
She was called into the squad this year when Wipiiti was injured.
"She is right up there in the mix," Broughton acknowledged.
"I think she has got good ability and there is still plenty more to come.
"But I still think her decision making under pressure and consistency isn't there yet."
