Caley Thistle’s injury worries have worsened with the news midfielder Aaron Doran will miss the rest of the season with a knee injury.
Doran picked up the injury in a pre-season match against Forres Mechanics but returned to play both legs of Inverness’ Europa League second qualifying-round defeat by Romanian side Astra.
The Irishman has not featured since, however, and, after undergoing an operation, Doran, who is out of contract next summer, has discovered he could be sidelined for the best part of a year.
Caley Jags manager John Hughes said: “We thought our situation could not get any worse, then we discover Aaron is out for the season.
“He has had an operation on his knee. We thought it was innocuous and he was just going for it to be looked at but he’s been told he needs a lot of work done to it.
“We are talking a good six to nine months.
“Aaron looked good in pre-season and this is a big year for him at the club.”
The news comes as a further blow to Inverness, who are still searching for their first win of the season after seven matches, with only goal difference keeping them above bottom-placed Kilmarnock.
Hughes has not had his squad injury problems to seek of late, with Doran one of seven players ruled out of last weekend’s 2-0 defeat by Hamilton Accies.
Joining Doran on the sidelines were fellow long-term absentees Dean Brill, who also has a knee injury, and Gary Warren, who suffered a broken leg in the opening day defeat against Motherwell.
Club captain Richie Foran, defender Josh Meekings and midfielders James Vincent and Jordan Roberts were also sidelined, while Greg Tansey limped off with an achilles injury, meaning Hughes’ squad is severely stretched at an early stage of the season.
Hughes has indicated he wants to bring in another forward before Tuesday’s transfer deadline, with Caley Jags having scored just three goals in their opening seven games.