Association coach and former Pies skipper Barry Grant, who made six last week before he was caught in front by Nathan Thomas, will be unavailable but the team will be boosted by the return of former captain-coach Paul Smithwick.

Former Rovers United all-rounder Smithwick, who relinquished the Pies’ captaincy to Simon Patterson in the off-season, is averaging almost 21.5 in his seven matches and could be the key in the run chase.

In an even match, the Pies need 130 with nine wickets in hand.

Pies keeper-batsman Ben Henwood said he was optimistic his team would reach the target.

“We’ve already lost one wicket but Patto has been batting well so, hopefully, he can make a few,” Henwood said. “We will give ourselves a good chance.

“It’s a good wicket over there — it the best I’ve seen it for a while.”

The bottom-placed Pies have struggled for runs this season and, despite the small total against the Redlegs, could struggle to reach this one.

They have made 173 twice — in round 6 against Beechworth and in round 8 against Corowa.

But all season, they have been too reliant on Grant and Patterson.

Night-watchman Zac Guilfoyle is at the crease with Hamish Cox.

But it will be a nervous start because both are yet to get off the mark.

Henwood, 18, said his team needed a slice of luck to go its way.

“We’ve been close enough with the good teams. We just haven’t been able to get over the line against the better teams,” Henwood said.

“We’ve got a pretty young side.

“We’ve only got a couple guys older than 21 but we are doing OK.”

In other games, City Colts will be desperate for quick wickets at Beechworth.

The ladder leader was skittled for just 93 last week, with the Wanderers on the brink of a major upset when they resume at 0-34.

Elsewhere, Corowa has six wickets in hand and needs 83 runs to win at Myrtleford and Greta needs 25 runs for victory away to Rovers United.