Last weekend's physical clash took a toll as newly arrived winger Clive Stowers broke his wrist and is gone for the season, while halfback Cameron Davies needs two weeks after a knock to the face, and representative lock Josh Lane is out with a toe injury.
Lane's departure comes as the team's NZ Heartland Under 19 reps Dylan Bowater and Ethan Robinson are already sidelined indefinitely.
"Josh was getting more confidence, he was starting to work well with Matt Ashworth, our other lock," said Edwards.
"Ethan is a big blow. You don't like to think one player makes a difference, but he does.
"That's made the backs have to step up and I don't think we have yet.
"We've had possession and position, we haven't finished off.
"I was happy with our scrum, in the past our scrum has been an achilles heel."
Edwards tried winger Stu Brosnahan back at flanker last weekend, where he had performed as an Under 20, and although successful the young man is not available for the Ngamatapouri game.
While an understrength Ngamatapouri have been at sixes and sevens so far this campaign with some heavy defeats, they can still call upon several game breakers who don't need a lot of territory or possession to score tries, which is polar opposite of Kaierau who often do the basics well but then lack the x-factor.
"We still have to beat them, and at the end of the day, we're probably a bit more desperate than them," Edwards said.
Nonetheless, the coach is going with one of the youngest front rows in the competition tomorrow, as Sam Beard, still 19, joins the starting lineup with Ihaka Te Paki, 20, and Tai Pulemafaga, 18-years-old.
They are all exactly half the age of Ngamatapouri's veteran hooker Eon Wallace.
While there is desperation at the Country Club, there will no doubt be passion up the road in Waverley as Border host Dave Hoskin Carriers Marist in what could be an emotional afternoon as the Jake Alabaster Memorial Shield goes on the line for the first time.
The 24-year-old's death last year rocked Wanganui rugby to the core, especially at Marist where he made his start climbing through the ranks of the Buffalos, Celtic and then the Premier side, as well as Border where he transferred to win the 2016 Premier title.
Both Marist coach Jerome McCrea and returning Border coach Ross Williams were hoping for a positive and free-flowing match, which usually is a hallmark of clashes between the clubs anyway.
"We haven't talked about it yet. But the boys certainly know what we're playing for," said Williams last night before practice.
"Jake meant a lot to both clubs. He would have enjoyed this game immensely.
"Motivation's going to be there regardless because we respect Marist."
Border had planned for the fourth round of Premier to be the club's 'Ladies Day' in any case, so the Border club on social media have linked the messages so the well-loved larrakin Alabaster can attract the ladies to the ground.
Marist will be just as hyped up as Alabaster's brother Kane Alabaster has come into their Premier team this year and been impressive on both the wing and at flanker – Jake's position.
The team would like nothing more than to see the shield into his possession.
In the other games, table leaders Ruapehu will host Taihape at Rochfort Park and Harvey Round Motors Ratana travel to Spriggens Park to meet Pirates.
