Caley Thistle manager John Hughes believes his side’s luck is about to turn as more of his first-team regulars approach full fitness.
Inverness have won only one of their previous six matches after Saturday’s 2-1 defeat at Partick Thistle when Ryan Stevenson netted a fortuitous winner in injury time for the Maryhill Jags.
The Scottish Cup holders have endured a torrid time with injuries since the beginning of the campaign but Hughes is optimistic the worst of their problems are finally behind them.
The Caley Thistle manager, whose players take on leaders Celtic in Inverness on Sunday, said: “It is good to see the players coming back. Ross Draper, Gary Warren, Andrea Mbuyi-Motumbo and Tobi Sho-Silva are all back.
“We need to have these players back to full fitness if we want to get back to winning ways as soon as possible.
“They just need games to get the match sharpness they need and when that happens we will have competition for places.
“We were very good in the first half against Partick Thistle but we aren’t getting that consistency for 90 minutes.
“We have been working on our counter-attacking play for weeks now but when we get the chance we don’t seem to be picking the right pass.
“There were things in our performance that pleased me – I thought we dictated the play despite being away from home.
“We created chances but we didn’t have the killer edge and we need to learn to see games out better.”
Danny Williams was given the nod to replace on-loan Celt Ryan Christie, who has returned to the Hoops to receive treatment on a knee injury.
Englishman Williams, 27, was deployed as an attacking midfielder, playing just behind attacker Miles Storey, against Partick and created the opening goal for the on-loan Swindon forward.
Williams has also been utilised as a left back and on the left side of midfield for Inverness this season and Hughes says the former Kendal Town player is a valuable member of his squad.
He added: “Danny played a lot of games last year. His problem is he is so versatile. He can play in a number of positions and he is lively.
“He still has a lot to do but it is probably unfair on him to chop and change his position rather than get him settled in one position.”
Caley Thistle take on Buckie Thistle in a friendly at Victoria Park tonight (7.45). Entry will be £5 for adults and £2.50 for children and concessions.