The clock is ticking for Caley Thistle as they step up their pursuit of attacker Miles Storey.
The Englishman has scored eight goals in 16 appearances for Caley Jags after his loan move from Swindon Town and both the player and Inverness are keen to extend his stay in the Highlands.
But Swindon chairman Lee Power has more pressing business to focus on with the recruitment of a new manager to replace Martin Ling his first priority.
Storey’s loan deal with the Scottish Cup holders expires on Saturday and Hughes is eager to have the player’s future resolved.
The Caley Thistle manager said: “With that pace and the form he’s in, that’s the first bit of business we want to try to do.
“Everything else is on hold because the goalposts have been moved a little.
“I understand at this time of year and what they’re going through at Swindon in terms of trying to get a new manager in.”
Hughes believes momentum is with Caley Jags after watching them record back-to-back league wins for only the second time this season with a 2-0 win against rivals Ross County in the Highland derby.
The win takes Caley Jags to within two points of the fifth-placed Staggies and, with several players back in the fold following an injury ravaged first half of the campaign, Hughes is looking forward to the second half of the season with optimism.
He said: “There seems to be a solid shape about us right now. We passed the ball well against Ross County but if I was being critical our link-up play in the final third could have been better. But to win 2-0 in a derby at the end of a hard week is fine by me.
“We had to travel to Aberdeen a week ago then go to Hamilton in midweek, while County had two home games before making a short trip over the bridge to play us.
“Considering the travelling and schedule we’ve faced it was a good result and, hopefully, we can go on and build on it in the second half of the season.”