Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes has warned reports of Caley Thistle’s demise have been greatly exaggerated.
John Hughes’ side have slipped down the Scottish Premiership table following successive defeats to Partick Thistle and St Johnstone.
A 4-0 rout by Partick ended the Highlanders’ unbeaten home record in this campaign before a contentious penalty gave St Johnstone a narrow victory at McDiarmid Park on Saturday.
Saints forward Brian Graham was found guilty of simulation by the SFA for diving to win the match-winning penalty and has been banned for the next two matches.
The Dons have been in excellent form in the league in recent weeks, racking up six wins from the last seven matches, all of which have come without the loss of a goal.
McInnes’ men head north to Caledonian Stadium tomorrow with confidence, but the manager knows better than to pay heed to suggestions of a slump in form at Caley Thistle.
The Dons manager said: “Their defeat on Saturday was harsh when you see the winning goal, we had them watched them against St Mirren and they were excellent.
“They are up there as they are a good side and if we finish above them we will have had a good season.
“Any time we have faced Inverness it has always been a tough game for us.”
Ross Draper will miss the visit of the Dons due to suspension following his red card in Perth but McInnes believes the midfield enforcer’s absence will have no effect on Hughes’ side.
He said: “They have a lot going for them. They have pace, talented players, a goalscorer in Billy Mckay and real experience.
“I look at the players on their bench every week and it is a really experienced squad which is why every game against them has been nothing but tough.
“We played them at Pittodrie earlier in the season and at 2-2 it could have gone either way, but thankfully we got the winning goal.
“I’m sure Sunday will be no different and they will be expecting as tough a game as we are.”
Captain Russell Anderson and midfielder Willo Flood remain long-term absentees due to injury while Scott McKenna misses out after suffering a thigh strain.
Clark Robertson and Craig Storie have resumed training but will not be considered for the trip to the Highlands.