Wairarapa United will be missing one, and possibly two, of their regular starting line-up when they take on Napier City Rovers in a Chatham Cup third round football game in Napier on Sunday.
In what is a rematch of last year's thrilling cup final won by Wairarapa United 2-1, the visitors will be without the player who led them to that memorable success, Adam Cowan, who has a work commitment in Fiji.
And there are serious doubts over the availability of Dale Higham, who has been battling illness and will require a medical clearance.
Coach Phil Keinzley admits the absence of both Cowan and Higham would be a huge blow for Wairarapa United as their pace, fitness and high skill levels had made them key members of the midfield.
"They are the type of players who can turn a game through a flash of brilliance, and often have. Not having them would hurt our attack, no question of that."
Keinzley said the two training sessions held by Wairarapa United this week - tonight and Thursday - would largely be about deciding who should play where if both Cowan and Higham were sidelined.
"There are a number of possible options and we will be doing a lot of experimenting between now and game time."
