Caley Thistle defender Danny Devine is ready to end a seven-month wait for competitive action after nursing himself back to fitness for tonight’s Betfred Cup tie against Cowdenbeath.
Northern Irishman Devine returned to Inverness after leaving Dunfermline during the summer, having previously been part of the Highlanders’ side which won the Scottish Cup in 2015.
Devine was forced to sit out last Tuesday’s 1-0 loss to Hearts at Tynecastle after picking up an ankle knock during pre-season, however the 28-year-old is back in contention and eager to face the Blue Brazil.
Devine said: “Before the Hearts game I had played in the previous pre-season games. I have managed to get a good few games under my belt.
“It was just a little niggle I picked up in the Elgin game, and I had a wee bit of swelling on the ankle.
“It has been very frustrating over the last six or seven months. That wasn’t helped last week when I picked up the injury, I was champing at the bit to get back but in my mind it was all about the start of the league campaign and making sure I was right for that.”
Tonight’s League Two opponents ran Hearts close in their encounter at New Bayview on Saturday, with the Jambos emerging 1-0 winners.
Devine insists it will take a professional display to defeat Gary Bollan’s men, adding: “The fact they have had two games, they may benefit from that. At the end of the day it’s all about us and what we do.
“If we apply ourselves right I’ve got no doubt we will go out and win the game.
“We want to get up to speed as quickly as possible, and there is nothing better for that than playing competitive football.”
