Butcher is confident over Foran, Djebi-Zadi

Caley Thistle manager Terry Butcher is confident he can persuade Richie Foran and Lionel Djebi-Zadi to stay at Caledonian Stadium.

Midfielder Foran, 29, and left back Djebi-Zadi, 27, were regulars under the former England captain for Caley Jags in the last five months of the club’s SPL campaign.

Midfielder Roy McBain and forward Eric Odhiambo have already signed new one-year deals with the Highland club and utility player David Proctor is set to follow.

But Butcher, who is back in Inverness for the start of pre-season training on Monday, believes there is a chance he can bring back two members of last term’s relegation squad.

He said: “We are still speaking to Lionel Djebi-Zadi and Richie Foran and their agents about trying to get them back and I am very optimistic we can. There have been quite a few managerial changes in the SPL and it has affected potential targets. It has helped to muddy the waters a bit, with Richie especially.

“He was certainly a terrific player for us last year and he could not be faulted in the effort he gave the club.

“We would love to have him back and our situation has not changed with him – it was what other people were doing was our concern..”

Butcher is still scouring the transfer market for new players after trimming his squad. He added: “We have had to reduce the squad from the end of last season when we had 27 players – it was far too big for the First Division.

“There could be one or two additions in the pre-season.

“We will be having a look at one or two players on trial. I might be looking at a couple of Dutch players.”