Caley Thistle manager John Hughes is hopeful some of his players will return from injury in time for Saturday’s Premiership trip to Aberdeen.
Midfielder Ross Draper has been out for two weeks with an ankle injury, while defender Josh Meekings suffered a knock that caused him to miss last weekend’s 2-2 draw against Dundee United. Hughes expects the influential pair to be fit to face the Dons.
Caley Jags could also be boosted by the return of midfielder Jordan Roberts, who netted in the Highlanders’ SPFL Development League 1-1 draw against Dundee at Montrose yesterday, but has not played for the first-team since injuring his groin shortly after the home leg of Inverness’ Europa League tie against Romanian side FC Astra in July.
Attackers Dani Lopez and Tobi Sho-Silva, who also featured, are short on match fitness after returning from injuries but Hughes is content with the way his squad is shaping up.
Hughes said: “We’re hoping Ross and Josh will be back, while a few of the other guys returning from injury played at Dundee for the Development League team.
“It’s only Aaron Doran and Dean Brill who remain out long term but everyone else is at different stages.
“If needs must, these guys, because they’re on the training pitch and training away, I’m sure they have 20 minutes here and there in them.
“But we also have to look after these players or else we might set them back.”
Caley Thistle dropped to ninth in the Premiership after their draw against bottom-placed United on Saturday, with Hughes’ players struggling to repeat the consistency they showed last season to finish third in the table.
Hughes reckons a clean bill of health will produce steadier results. He added: “I know results bring confidence but we’re not too far away.
“We need everyone back on the football field. We also need to be ruthless at the top end, keep a clean sheet and have good numbers to pick from.
“If we can do that, that’s when we’re at our best. As soon as we’re at our best, results will start to come our way.
“That’s the work in progress. If we can do that, I can see us starting to win matches on a more regular basis.”