Armagh youngsters Rory Grugan and Gavin McParland will not take part in the Power NI Dr McKenna Cup competition next month.
The duo, who were key in the Orchard County’s 2009 All-Ireland minor title success, will be given time to recover from niggling injuries, robbing them of more valuable experience with the senior panel.
A shoulder problem has seen Grugan in difficulty for some months now, while McParland needs a break to allow full recovery time for a hand problem.
“Rory has been playing through the pain barrier to some extent recently,” Armagh spokesman Joe Jordan was quoted as saying by the Belfast Telegraph.
“He has just completed a very busy season as his club Ballymacnab reached the county final.
“He did not have any real opportunity to rest his injured shoulder but now he will avail of that chance.
“He is hopeful that he will be back for action in the National League.
“Gavin’s handling skills are impaired a bit because of this (his hand injury) but both he and Rory are viewed as important players and we would like them to be firing on all cylinders.
“The fact that they will be out at the start of the year will open the door to other hopefuls who will probably get the chance to establish themselves in the side.
“Don’t forget we still have Ronan Clarke, Steven McDonnell and Jamie Clarke missing from our attack, so there really will be places up for grabs.”