Formartine assistant-manager Mike Cormack knows his side cannot afford an off-day if United are to stay on the coat-tails of leaders Cove.
Formartine travel to Mosset Park to face Forres today and Cormack knows his side will face a formidable physical challenge.
Cormack, said: “It is really important we keep up the pressure on Cove and Brora, but we know it is never easy at Forres.
“We have a few injury problems with central defender Craig McKeown out with a knee injury and Johnny Crawford suspended. Neil McVitie is also missing and Stuart Anderson, will have a fitness test.”
The Can-Cans will be without full back Simon Allan who has a thigh strain and midfielder Stuart Soane, who is nursing a hip injury.
Champions Brora are likely to keep faith in the team which defeated Wick Academy 3-1 in the derby on Wednesday night while this afternoon’s visitors, Lossiemouth, are without midfielder Kevin Duguid who is offshore, both Mark Hector and Scott Stewart have work commitments and central defender Bryan Bell is on holiday.
Clachnacuddin and Wick Academy suffered away defeats in midweek so both Lilywhites manager Iain Polworth and his opposite number Gordon Connelly are expected to ring the changes ahead of their Grant Street meeting.
Clach manager Iain Polworth said: “The beauty of having a game so soon after means we can’t afford to dwell on what happened at Forres. We need to dust ourselves down and put things right.
“You have got to be impressed with Wick. They’re fifth in the table, still in the Scottish Cup and have a cup final to look forward to. A lot of teams would want to be in their position.”
Strathspey Thistle and Fort William meet at Seafield Park in a game subject to a morning pitch inspection. A win for the Lochaber club would draw them level on points with the Grantown Jags.
Strathspey have a full squad available but Fort travel without forward Danny Mackintosh and midfielder Barna Tot, both on holiday.