Greens will relish the challenge against league leaders
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Covid and injuries to key players have again disrupted the Greens' preparations as they resume their Caley League 1 campaign on Saturday with a testing visit to leaders Dunfermline.
Head coach Ewen Boyd is nonetheless relishing the challenge and is making sure his men have the best chance by arranging their first overnight stay of the season.
Caithness sit third but their title aspirations were effectively derailed following their home loss to then table-topping Orkney before Christmas.
With their hosting of third-placed Ellon coming after their trip to McKane Park, the Greens could well fill the role of kingmakers, however.
Boyd has consistently batted away all title talk and insists his sights are fixed firmly on developing the high quota of tenderfoots in the senior squad.
He said: "The Dunfermline and Ellon games can help define our season.
"It will not be the outcomes of the matches that will define the season. It will be how we train for and play in them and the attitude in which we approach them.
"After that, we have three games left and a good run-in will stand us in good stead and give us a bit of momentum to prep for next season."
Boyd sees the club in a prolonged phase of rebuilding in which it is nurturing the highly promising crop of rookies to replace the experienced, long-serving campaigners who will be calling it a day over the next couple of seasons.
The coach is awaiting updates on hooker Calum Hill and back-rower Grant Anderson.
The main problem position is scrum-half. With Kris Hamilton and Gordie Macleod sidelined, Boyd is hoping Euan MacDonald will have shaken off a knee knock he picked up in training so he can continue his run as the starting nine.
Flanker Reece Coghill has work commitments and number eight Evan Sutherland is struggling with a hamstring pull.
On the plus side, prop Mark Nicolson is available again while fly-half/centre Marc Anderson could also return after a leg strain.
South-based Craig Gunn and Nathan Quinn are also to team up with the squad on Saturday morning.
Boyd said: "We should have a decent enough squad and I'm looking forward to the game."
Dunfermline prepare for their final game of the season on the back of an eight-game winning streak. Their last reverse was a 30-19 defeat in Thurso at the end of October.
Orkney host Ellon where a home win would be a massive boost to their bid to land the title. They trail Dunfermline by 15 points but have five games in hand.
Caithness Seconds meanwhile host Highland Thirds on Saturday in the first game after the Caley North Region League 4 split.
The Yellows, currently sitting joint second with the Inverness outfit, finish their programme with away matches versus Deeside and Dyce.
Saturday's game at Millbank kicks off at 3pm.
Caithness Krakens are in action on Saturday when they host Fraserburgh in their opening match in the national women's Bowl competition.
Coach Mike Flavell has assembled a 17-strong squad which are missing a few regulars but will feature debuts for Ellie Mackay and Ellie Anderson.
He said: "We had a tough league game against them in Fraserburgh when we came out on top but we were made to work hard for the victory."
The game at Millbank kicks off at 2pm.
