McGuigan has been ruled out of Saturday's crucial clash with Toronto at Ron Hill Oval and will be replaced by Pat Hoolahan.

Merewether skipper Simon Moore was optimistic that McGuigan's issue was relatively minor and he would not be a long-term absentee.

But he admitted the Newcastle Blasters representative would be hard to replace.

"Hopefully it's only a strain, a bit of a niggle he's had, and he won't be out for too long," Moore said.

"With a bit of a rest, we'll hopefully get him back for the next game.

"Being an all-rounder, he's a pretty handy player for us, especially in one-dayers."

Merewether have rarely missed the finals in the past two decades but will need a belated resurgence to qualify for the top four this season.

With five games remaining, they are eighth on the competition ladder with 24 points, six points adrift of fourth-placed Stockton.

With games to play against University, Wallsend, Wests and Belmont, Moore agreed there was little room for error.

"I haven't really looked at the points table too much," he said.

"I just know we need to start winning games."

Former NSW Country all-rounder Pat Darwen played for the Lions in their midweek Summer Bash win against Waratah, but Moore said he was unlikely to be available for Saturday matches.

Today's clash, reduced to 45 overs after last week's washout, will be equally important for the Kookaburras, who sit three points and one rung below Merewether on the ladder.

The two games that did proceed last week, despite the rain, will be hanging in the balance when play resumes this morning.

At Learmonth Park, Wallsend are 1-46 chasing Newcastle City's 164.

Given that the Tigers are fifth by one point, with City a further point behind, both teams will be desperate not to lose touch with the top four.

At Waratah Oval, all-rounders Jonty Durrheim and Nathan Hudson shape as key wickets as Belmont defend last week's total of 183. The home team were 3-68 in reply, with Durrheim at the crease on 21 and Hudson yet to bat.

Stockton, meanwhile, will be hoping to take another step towards their first finals appearance in several seasons when they host seventh-placed Charlestown (27 points) at Lynn Oval.

Both teams will welcome back in-form NSW Country representative players in Nick Foster (Stockton) and Daniel Arms (Charlestown).

At Passmore Oval, University will be hoping to carry the confidence they gained from a Summer Bash win against Cardiff into their daunting clash with second-placed Hamilton-Wickham.

The remaining match of round nine is shaping as something of a mismatch at Harker Oval, where unbeaten competition leaders Wests host winless Cardiff.