Coming off a local derby defeat to Bathurst Panthers on April 27, St Pat's will head into the game at Sid Kallas Oval without Zac Merritt (ankle injury), Mick Latu (ankle injury), Brett Dennis (neck injury) and Greg Behan (work commitments).

However, St Pat's captain-coach Luke Branighan said his side still has depth in the squad to win games.

"Our guys have been fairly good this year. We've had to deal with quite a few injuries but we've gone about our business," he said.

"We've battled away with some inconveniences, but we've still got enough depth to win games."

Branighan knows Sunday's game will be a difficult task, considering last year's minor premiers have outscored their opposition 90-8 in their last two games, courtesy of 40-0 win and 50-8 win over Lithgow and Blayney respectively.

"They're definitely one of the sides to beat this year and obviously playing in Cowra, it's a good test to see where we're at," he said.

"It's going to be really tough, but we'll go over there to try and get the two points."

One area Branighan will be hoping his team continues to play well is in the forward line.

"I think our forward pack has been pretty handy," he said.

"The likes of Mick Hawkings, Jack Mackey and McCoy White have done some good work.

"Mitch Squire has been in some good form too. He's been the quiet achiever this year."

While St Pat's sit two positions clear of Cowra in third, a win for the Magpies would propel them above the Bathurst-based club because of a favourable point differential.

A win for St Pat's would keep them in the top three and a big enough win and a heavy defeat by either Panthers or Mudgee could see them jump into the top two positions.

Cowra's Caley Mok said his side's defence will have to be on song if the Magpies want to get the win.

"It's really important that our defence is on point for the rest of the season, and... we've been building towards that, we've been doing a fair of work on our defence at training," he said.

"We're coming into a pretty tough run of games; we definitely need to make sure we're keeping them out, because I know that we've got the points in us if we do."

Kick-off is at 2.45pm.