RONALD Ross, the greatest goalscorer in the history of shinty, is to have ankle surgery next month and will then decide whether or not to hang up his boots.
Kingussie hope to persuade the 35-year-old hitman, who hit his 1,000th goal in May 2009, to carry on.
Ross is completing a two-game ban and will miss tomorrow's home match with Inveraray, but will play against Glenurquhart in his club's final outing of the season next weekend.
He said: “I was at hospital this week for an inspection of my ankle and I'm waiting for a date for an operation.
“I'm told post-op recovery time is six to eight weeks, so it shouldn't be a problem.
“I'll wait till the end of the season, after the internationals with Ireland, before making up my mind on whether to carry on.”
With the championship safely in Newtonmore hands, Kingussie are competing with Kyles for third place and if they account for Inveraray then a point from their final match would be enough.
Kingussie lost at Inveraray in the league, but John Smillie's side will be well understrength for the trip north.
Kyles complete their season at bottom club Glasgow Mid Argyll, playing their last game before being rele-gated.
But the crucial Premier tie is at Rothesay, where Bute face Oban Camanachd in a shootout to determine who joins Mid Argyll in exiting the top flight.
A draw is enough to ensure safety for the islanders while Oban manager Peter McCuish knows his team must win to preserve their record of being in the Premier Division since its inception.
Oban know it will be a double-drop for if they are relegated to the South First Division then their reserve side Lochside Rovers will be forced out of that division as it cannot have a first and season team from the same club.
FIXTURES – TOMORROW
SCOTTISH HYDRO PREMIER DIVISION – Bute v Oban Camanachd, Glasgow Mid Argyll v Kyles Athletic, Kingussie v Inveraray.
MARINE HARVEST – North Division 1: Lochcarron v Lochaber.
North Division 2: Kinlochshiel v Glenurquhart.