Caley Thistle will next week look to address a problem with their recently-laid pitch which caused the postponement of tomorrow’s Championship match against Queen of the South.
Inverness called an inspection at 12 noon today after highlighting concerns about a waterlogged area of the pitch, with a referee deeming the surface unplayable.
Caley Jags undertook major pitch improvements during the summer, which were carried out at a cost of nearly £100,000.
Inverness chief executive Scot Gardiner says the contractors will return to Caledonian Stadium on Monday to assess what needs to be done to repair the problem area of the pitch, which runs alongside the stand-side touchline.
Gardiner said: “It’s a massive blow. We had problems with an area of the pitch at the Dunfermline game, and we have the same issues there.
“We have had rain covers on all week, but the issue is below ground. It was unplayable, but the biblical rain overnight it would definitely have put it off.
“Our consultants who built the new pitch are in on Monday, because something is clearly wrong below ground.
“They are going to be here to look at what remedial action we need to take. We spent the best of £100,000 on the pitch.
“The annoying thing is the rest of the pitch is absolutely perfect, it’s just one little strip.
“The area we are talking about is like porridge, you couldn’t do anything. It was the shortest pitch inspection I’ve ever seen.
“The referee came and was in and out in short order.”
Gardiner says the Highlanders were obliged to make an early call before Queens set off on the near 500-mile round trip from Dumfries, which the Doonhamers had planned to make this afternoon.
Gardiner added: “We contacted the league on Thursday because we had concerns, and I spoke to Queen of the South.
“The league arranged for the referee to come in at lunchtime and the situation was that we had to be pragmatic because Queen of the South were coming so far.
“Queens were leaving at 1.30pm today to stay the night, and we didn’t think it was fair of the expense of a few thousand pounds.
“They had fans who had booked to stay for the weekend as well, so we had to let them know.
“Everybody is fit, we had no issues, but this Saturday game will probably now be moved to a midweek night.
“It’s a big disappointment but there’s nothing we can do.”
A rescheduled date has yet to be set by the SPFL, however Caley Thistle have confirmed all tickets issued for the fixture will be valid when the game is played.