Caley Thistle captain Richie Foran could make a return before the end of the season.
The Irishman’s playing prospects for the remainder of the season had appeared bleak when he suffered a calf injury in training, just weeks after completing his recovery from a long-term knee injury.
The 35-year-old has not started a game in nearly two years, and has made just four substitute appearances this season, but manager John Hughes is now hopeful the Irishman could yet play a part before the end of the campaign.
Hughes said: “Richie is in rehab and we’re hoping he’ll back in the next two or three weeks.
“He always works hard. That’s where the frustration comes from because I know what he has been through.
“When he had the knee problems, there were needles going in to drain the fluid, but he was really brave. He just rolled his sleeves up and got on with it.
“Given his age, and trying to get back from the injury having been out for a long time, Richie just needs to take his time.
“These things are going to happen. When players think one injury is all right, through my own experience, they end up picking up other injuries.
“Fingers crossed he’s on the road to mending.”
Caley Thistle attacker Alex Fisher will need surgery.
He suffered an ankle injury in last month’s 2-0 Scottish Cup win against Stirling Albion, which was just his third game since joining from English National League side Torquay United, and Hughes added: “He’ll need an operation this week. It’s not a break but he need to have an operation to get ligaments attached. Once he gets that done it will be all systems go.”
Hughes has been pleased other players have stepped up to the mark at the height of Caley Jags’ injury problems, and said: “I said a couple of weeks ago, I needed competition for places. That’s what Lewis Horner and Jordan Roberts are bringing. They are doing their stuff and long may that continue.
“We need everyone injury-free to the end of the season and a full squad to pick from. That’s healthy.”