Caley Thistle manager John Robertson says there has been no breakthrough after opening early talks with a number of players out of contract next summer.
Robertson is keen to press ahead with the task of tying down much of his squad, with a number of his players coming towards the end of their deals.
Among the players whose contracts expire next summer are defenders Jamie McCart, Coll Donaldson, Brad Mckay, midfielders Charlie Trafford and Tom Walsh, along with forward Jordan White.
Robertson has started negotiations with four players, but says he is being forced to show patience following the first round of discussions.
Robertson said: “We have offered new contracts to four players who are out of contract at the end of the season. They are not signing them, at this moment in time.
“It’s difficult but that’s the problem we have at times. Players are in control of their contracts, and they can decide when or when not they want to sign them.
“All we can do is offer them, and take it from there.
“We will continue to speak to these players, and other players going forward. Hopefully we can keep the nucleus of the squad together as much as we can.”
Robertson has been forced to shuffle his squad in recent weeks due to an illness bug which has swept Caledonian Stadium, and caused himself and assistant Scott Kellacher to miss the Tunnock’s Caramel Wafer Challenge Cup victory over Clyde.
Robertson says Saturday’s 1-0 victory over Dundee shows they still have the depth required to sustain a challenge at the top end of the Championship, with the Caley Jags boss adding: “There was still a bit of flu going about. As we have said over the last few weeks, everybody who has been picked has been ready to play.
“There were a couple of lads with high temperatures on Saturday who were missing because of it.
“We have never used that as an excuse though – we are not looking for an excuse.”
Robertson deployed defender Kevin McHattie in a central midfield role against the Dark Blues, and the Inverness manager felt the former Hearts player contributed to a strong team performance on his first league outing of the campaign.
Robertson added: “We brought Kevin in to give us a shift, and he never lets us down. He has probably been due a chance at his favoured left centre-half position, and he will get that eventually I’m sure.
“I thought we were really solid from back to front on Saturday.”