Steve Borthwick and Peter MacIntyre, facing each other in Saturday's Camanachd Cup final in their first season as managers, must wait for fitness checks before they can finalise their battle plans.
Kingussie have the greater worries for the showdown with holders Fort William at The Bught Park, Inverness, in the 103rd final.
Borthwick has three key players crocked and is particularly worried about Ricky Grant, who has been in sparkling form recently.
Borthwick, who took over from Jimmy Gow, has 13 Camanachd winner’s medals of his own.
However, his vast experience is not matched by his side as he is set to pitch in five young players who are appearing in their first Camanachd final, a unique situation for The Dell club.
MacIntyre, meanwhile, succeeded Drew MacNeil, who steered Fort to victory in the last three Camanachd finals.
MacIntyre has, however, considerable coaching experience and his headache is a niggling hamstring problem for James Clark, whose goal power has been pivotal in those last three finals.
Borthwick will make it a family affair when he sends out Kingussie. His brothers Andrew and Ian are regulars while the youngest player afield will be 16-year-old Thomas Borthwick, Steve's nephew and son of Kingussie legend Dave.
Also making his debut up front is 17-year-old Ryan Borthwick, Steve's son. Thomas and Ryan have been outstanding in showing poise beyond their years in their first campaign together in the first team.
Steve said: “As well as Thomas and Ryan, we have debutants in Lee Bain, who we signed from Strathglass, and brothers Fraser and Lewis Munro, who have just turned 20.
“With five boys new to the big occasion, we could be accused of having inexperience but I prefer to feel that these lads are young and fresh. They have shown in our MacTavish and Macaulay Cup victories that they don't let the occasion get them down.
“However, I still feel Fort are favourites as they have vast experience and have proved a real cup team with good and seasoned campaigners.
“We were in transition and at the start of the season assistant Russell Jones and myself thought the Camanachd was the one feasible target. We've done much better than that, but we've been unlucky with injuries.
“Paul Gow didn't play last Saturday after getting a blow in the ribs against Newtonmore, while Ally MacLeod reports slight hamstring trouble and it's difficult to say if either will be fully ready.
“My major worry is Ricky Grant, who picked up an ankle injury on Saturday which is giving us real concern. He came in to the side late in the season and has provided a real stimulus. We'll wait till later in the week, but it's going to be a tough call."
Fort will be figuring in their eight successive Camanachd final and MacIntyre said: “James Clark has been playing while carrying his injury, which doesn't help. We'll assess his condition at the end of the week.
“Drew Ferguson, who scored two goals in the semi-final, is still in plaster and will play no part, which is a big disappointment. But Bryan Simpson reports no ill-effects from Saturday's comeback. Duncan Rodger, who missed most of the season with knee trouble, has played in the last couple of games and will be in the squad.
“We're laying on an extra training session on Wednesday night to focus on stickwork and we're looking forward to playing on the fine surface at Inverness.
“While we defeated Kingussie 6-0 early in the season they turned it round with a 3-0 win over us in the Macaulay, so I'd say neither side is favourite.
“We've been going well and I've no fears at all for 19-year-old keeper Paul MacKay in his first final."
There will be no complacency in the Fort William ranks as they bid to make it four in a row in shinty’s main showpiece final.
MacIntyre added: “Kingussie’s young Borthwick boys up front are very mobile and, of course, there is that fantastic player Ronald Ross.
“We have to look out for him, but at the same time I'm careful not to over-emphasise coping with Ronald as we have to be aware of the whole Kingussie team."
Steve Borthwick responded: “Teams have been double-marking Ronald this season and, in so doing, giving themselves plenty of problems elsewhere.
“On the big Bught Park pitch, it will be more difficult to double-mark him.”
Peter and Steve chatted warmly at a sponsors' event in the shade of Inverness Castle yesterday.
But they know only one of them can end their first season as manager with the game's most celebrated trophy in their arms on Saturday evening.