Caley Thistle goalkeeper Dean Brill has backed the threadbare Inverness squad to come through a selection crisis and keep the Inverness European hopes alive.
The Highlanders made a terrific start to the campaign with continuity of selection playing a huge part in their surge into second place.
But John Hughes’s squad has been stretched to the limit recently with captain Richie Foran and midfielders James Vincent and Marley Watkins injured, and midfielder Ross Draper suspended, resulting in Caley Jags going five matches without a win.
Draper will miss Saturday’s crucial trip to Aberdeen and central defender Gary Warren, who played in Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Dundee United, will also be suspended.
But Brill is confident the squad can cope in the difficult circumstances. He said: “There is enough in that dressing-room to keep doing what we have been doing.
“You get patches in the season where you don’t do well and after a brilliant start and the squad being stretched it’s tough but we will come through this.
“The squad is really being stretched now but you have to give credit to the guys who have come in. Liam Polworth was fantastic against Dundee United, Danny Williams is growing in confidence and Graeme Shinnie was our best player in central midfield.
“Everyone is working hard. It’s up to them now to take their opportunity. At this time of year a lot of squads are stretched. Marley Watkins is nearly there in terms of fitness and James Vincent is close to coming back.
“It’s the manager’s call in terms of bringing someone else in but the lads who haven’t played here have come in and done well.
“Danny Devine will come in for Gary at Aberdeen and I’m sure he will play well. He is a good player and I’m sure he will be up to it.”
The wait for a first home win for Hughes continues after Nick Ross’s penalty miss resulted in Caley Thistle drawing with the Tangerines on Sunday.
United also hit the post twice, had a penalty claim of their own before Brill was forced to make a desperate goalline clearance after he missed a pass back from Shinnie. The goalkeeper was pleased to take a point in the circumstances and laughed off his moment of drama.
He said: “The surface was crunchy and the goalmouths were pretty solid. Shinnie was trying to pass the ball to Gary and it came off his shin quickly towards me.
“The ball bounced just as I went to kick it but I showed my pace to get back and get it away. It’s one of those things.”