Shinty: Kingussie welcome back former Scotland captain following serious knee injury

Mabon lined up at full centre against Caberfeidh last week with strapping on his right knee and his manager Ronald Ross said: “Robert played for an hour in his first game since the Macaulay Cup final last August.

“It’s a massive boost for us as he’s one of the best players in the game.

“We’ll just have to see how he’s feeling this week before deciding whether he’ll feature against Newtonmore.”

However, James Falconer won’t play as Ronald Ross explained: “James was injured again Skye on the opening day of the season and he’s out for a few more weeks, which is a blow.”

Whilst it’s Ronald Ross’s first derby since his appointment as manager, ‘Newtonmore boss Peter Ross has four such encounters under his belt including last year’s Camanachd Cup final win.

But he doesn’t think that will be a factor and said: “It was new to Fraser Coyle and me as managers last season, but these games take care of themselves. We’ll send the boys out, but we can only do so much and it’s then in their hands.

“Steven Macdonald and Declan Brannan are available after suspension whilst Tristan Ross has shaken off an injury so I’ve big decisions to make as the boys were brilliant against Skye. We picked up a couple of wee knocks but we’re fine.”

Injury crisis for Skye

Elsewhere in the Mowi Premiership, Skye Camanachd are facing an injury nightmare ahead of the trip to Col Glen.

Skye manager Kenny MacLeod said: “We’ve a bit of an injury crisis. John Gillies is still struggling with a leg injury following the Kingussie game on at the start of the month whilst Ryan Harrison felt his back go against Newtonmore last week, so we’re monitoring him.

“William MacKinnon’s shoulder injury has flared up again and he looks as if he could be a long-term miss whilst James Morrison starts a three-game ban.

“Ruaraidh MacLeod has a shoulder problem and although Jamie Gillies played as a substitute last week, he still isn’t 100% whilst Angus Hugh MacDonald is out through work commitments.

“That all leaves us very short, especially in defence, so we’ll look to a few second team boys to fill in, but we’ve enough quality to get two points.”

Both sides are after their first points of the season and Col Glen were able to field Cally Mcnaughton in attack against Oban Camanachd last week despite fears he would miss the whole campaign.

Shiel ready to face Fort

Kinlochshiel manager Willie MacRae welcomes Keith MacRae back for Fort William’s visit.

He added: “Johnnie MacAskill and Zander MacRae tightened up against Lochaber last week but they’re fine.

“David Falconer’s nearly there but Archie MacRae’s still bothered by his knee.

“I’d intended using Ali Nixon in attack this year, but he’s had to drop into full centre where he’s been excellent.”

Oban Camanachd are lifted by Louie MacFarlane’s return following suspension and Lorne Dickie’s available again ahead of the trip to play Kyles Athletic.

Oban Camanachd assistant manager Iain MacMillan said: “Louie has been playing football for Oban Saints, so he’ll be fit for his first game of the season.”

Caberfeidh ran Kingussie close last week and they welcome Lochaber.

The top two sides in the Mowi National Division clash as Lovat host leaders Glenurquhart. Glen’s Fergus Robertson completes his four-match suspension.

Kilmallie are minus the banned Shane O’Rua for Glasgow Mid Argyll’s visit.

Bute pair Marcus Planck and Rory McDonald are free of suspension for Beauly’s visit, but Scott Harvey is still banned. Beauly duo Connor Ross and Charlie MacRae complete their two-game bans.

Inveraray’s Ross Montgomery is free of his suspension for the trip to Oban Celtic.

[Source: Press and Journal]