Caley Thistle defender Josh Meekings is looking forward to a fresh start after a season to forget.
The former Ipswich Town player was a mainstay in Caley Thistle’s memorable 2014-15 campaign, playing every game bar one as Inverness finished third in the top flight and won the Scottish Cup.
That success stalled last season, with Caley Jags ending up in the bottom six and manager John Hughes being replaced by Richie Foran in the close season.
For Meekings, it was a particularly frustrating campaign. The 23-year-old spent two lengthy spells on the sidelines because of knee and hip injuries, making only 25 appearances having surpassed the 40-game mark in his three previous campaigns.
Meekings said: “I wasn’t particularly happy with how the season went. It was a difficult one because of the injuries, so I’m hoping this six-week break will have done me good.
“I didn’t achieve everything I wanted to last season which was frustrating.
“We only had a two or three-week break last year because of the Europa League. I don’t think that did the team or myself any favours but we can’t make excuses.
“We need to make sure we are ready for the new season this time because a quick start is important if we want to get in the top six.”
Meekings spent most of the season playing right back after Hughes opted to make Gary Warren and Danny Devine his first-choice central defensive pairing.
But the departure of Devine to Partick Thistle could mean Meekings returns to the heart of the Caley Thistle defence.
He added: “I’m not sure if right back will be my long-term position. I am still young and I was enjoying playing at right back, I liked the fact it gave me the chance to get forward.
“I feel I have a lot of energy and like to use my pace going down the line, so I will have to wait and see what the manager has planned for next season.”