Caley Thistle manager Richie Foran says his recent defensive shortage could prompt him to bolster his backline in the January transfer window.
Foran has limited defensive options for tomorrow’s trip to St Johnstone, with defender Brad McKay unavailable having failed to shrug off an ankle injury, and Lewis Horner suspended after his red card in last weekend’s 2-1 defeat at Dundee.
Caley Jags’ only other right back is David Raven, who is expected to play despite suffering a knee injury in training this week following his return from concussion.
Despite Foran previously saying he did not expect much activity during next month’s transfer window, the Irishman says recent injuries have exposed his lack of options in defence.
He said: “Football changes in a day – I’m not thinking that at all any more. Just looking defenders-wise, we’re struggling, so we might need to bolster in January.
“It’s our bit of luck. We’ve two defenders injured, hopefully one of them will get through, we have one suspended and that’s our three right backs.”
“I’m sure David will make it but Brad has swelling that won’t go away. We’ll have that looked into again. We’ll get another scan on it and see if there are any issues we need to deal with.”
Foran says red tape is preventing him from handing 20-year-old Jason Brown an opportunity in defence, with the Aberdonian unable to feature until January after returning early from a loan at League 2 side Arbroath after just four games.
Brown’s only appearance for Inverness this term came as a 63rd minute substitute in a 7-0 Betfred Cup victory against Arbroath, prior to him making to move to the Red Lichties.
Foran is baffled by the legislation, which prevents players being re-registered to their parent clubs in the event of a loan being ended outwith the transfer window.
Foran added: “We’ve got Jason who can’t play because he played a few minutes for us, and he’s been on loan at Arbroath as well. It’s a shambles of a rule.
“This could have been an opportunity for Jason to step in if David didn’t make it. It’s a very disappointing rule they have which they’ll need to change, because it’s preventing young players from playing football.
“He can’t play until January. He can sign for three clubs but he can only play for two and he’s only played a few minutes for us.
“I’m sure it’s something they’re looking to change.
“We’ve had meetings, I’ve been at the manager meetings. I’ve had them round and they are looking to change it because it’s a bit of a shambles of a rule.”
