But ahead of Gunnedah's War Veterans Cup final against defending champions Narrabri at Wolseley Oval on Sunday, as the former chases a first Cup triumph since 1998, Brad Jenkinson will epitomise the spirit his skipper Mitchell Swain has demanded from his players.

Having been sidelined since the end of November with a torn rotator cuff in his right bowling arm, the veteran paceman will push through the pain barrier and bowl in the final.

He returned to bowling in Albion's two-day defeat of Kookaburras last round, for the chief purpose of getting overs under his belt in preparation for Narrabri.

And he will be needed, with Swain revealing on Thursday that frontline bowlers Farran Lamb and Ben Irwin will miss the match for personal reasons.

Gunnedah's most fearsome bowler at full pace, Jenkinson said he would operate at about 70 per cent of his capacity on Sunday.

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The 32-year-old explosives expert said he felt "pretty stiff" after the Kookaburras clash and his decision to resume bowling, before having a second operation on the same shoulder, was about "pain management".

He operated on a shorter run-up in bowling limited overs against Kookaburras. Used as first change, he claimed 2-11 off 11 overs.

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"I'm not sure if I'll come off a long run on Sunday or not - I'll make the call on Sunday," he said. "But if Mitch gives me the ball, I'll be ready to go.

"It's obviously an exciting time for the town … it would be fantastic for cricket in Gunnedah if we could win."

Swain said Jenkinson's commitment "was exactly what we want".

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"And to be honest, it's what we expect a little bit," he said. "Because it's not every day that you make a grand final, and especially a War Vets final. We want people to want to win this.

"We've made no secret from the start: we set out to win it, and anything short of that will be disappointing."