Caley Thistle manager Richie Foran believes a move to central midfield for Liam Polworth will bring out the best in the player.
Foran played Polworth in a central role in Tuesday’s friendly at Forres Mechanics and the 21-year-old responded with a fine display in the 3-1 win for a Caley Jags team comprising a mixture of under-20 players and the first-team squad.
Foran said: “We got Liam Polworth in what is my preferred position for him in centre midfield and I thought he was excellent.
“He’s a wonderful athlete and if he keeps improving the way he’s improving now, he can go on to play at a higher level.”
Foran is pleased with the progress his team is making as he prepares for his home debut in the dugout on Saturday against Championship side Dundee United in the Betfred Cup.
He said: “Forres are a physical side with some good players as well, so physicality wise, it was a great test for us.
“These are the tests we want, particularly for our young players. We don’t want them dominating games and winning 7-0 or 8-0, this is the way we do it.
“It’s a wonderful place to come and play football and the park is in great nick. I enjoyed watching it and we’ve a lot to work on with the young lads.
“Their attitude was spot on and we got some good fitness out of them.
“I thought we got fitter and stronger late on, the lads who haven’t played at the weekend, like David Raven, improved as the game went on.”
On Saturday’s game against United, who beat Cowdenbeath 6-1 at Tannadice on Tuesday, the Caley Thistle manager said: “It’s the first home game of the season and hopefully we’ll get in a big crowd and the new lads can show the supporters what they’re made of.
“Cup games are all about winning and we had to win ugly at Cowdenbeath and Dundee United will be a step up again. They’re going well, they’ve signed some good players but I want us to go out and play attractive football and win.”