Key duo missing for Lovat
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LOVAT have been hit by a double suspension blow ahead of their Orion Premiership tussle with joint league leaders Inveraray.
Club captain Calum Cruden and midfielder Lorne MacKay were both yellow carded in the season’s opener against Lochaber and will now sit out tomorrow’s game under the totting up system.
"It definitely is a huge blow to lose two of our top players at the same time as we have Jamie Matheson on the long-term injury list," said Lovat manager Allan MacRae.
"It is going to be tough. They have made a strong start to the season and have a tradition of playing well on their own pitch."
Lovat have not recorded a league win at the Winterton since returning to the Premier Division in 2010, but MacRae is optimistic that they can end that sequence.
"Overall, I am pleased with how things have gone so far this season," he said. "It is a solid start and we will be looking for both points tomorrow to continue our progress."
Glenurquhart are also on the road as they head west for a clash with Kinlochshiel. Last season the teams were closely matched, recording a victory apiece in the league.
The Glen are seeking their first points of the season, while ‘Shiel will have been encouraged by their performance in a 2-2 draw against Fort William last Saturday.
Fraser Heath picked up a head knock for Glenurquhart in the defeat against Kyles, but should be back in contention for a place in the starting line-up.
Elsewhere, Newtonmore entertain Lochaber, who hope to have Lachie Campbell back in the side that lost narrowly to Kingussie in their previous outing.
Kyles face Fort William at Tighnabruaich, while Oban Camanachd are seeking their first points of the season as they entertain Kingussie.
The match of the day in the Marine Harvest North Division One is at Canal Parks where unbeaten sides Kilmallie and Skye clash.
Gilleasbuig MacDonald, who missed the draw against Strathglass, should return for the islanders, while Kilmallie’s under-21 star Liam MacDonald continues his recovery from injury.
New Inverness manager Allan MacLeod has endured a difficult start to his managerial career with heavy defeats against Skye and Beauly in the opening two matches.
He leads out his team against Strathglass at the Bught tomorrow — a side that Inverness has fared well against in recent seasons.
The city club will be without new signing Mark Sproule, but Sorley MacDonald, should return after he missed the defeat against Beauly.
Strathglass were denied both points last Saturday with Skye scoring late on to force a draw. They will start as favourites tomorrow as the clubs begin to jostle for a top three placing in the league.
In the final match old rivals Caberfeidh and Beauly clash at Castle Leod with both sides level on points. Beauly powered their way past Inverness last Saturday, but joint managers iain Morrison and Steve MacLean will be expecting a tough challenge from the Strathpeffer side.
In North Division Two, newly-promoted Beauly face rivals Lovat at reserve level for the first time in three seasons with Graeme MacMillan’s Lovat side favourites, despite their 7-0 mauling by Newtonmore last weekend.
