Liam Polworth has agreed a new three-year deal with Caley Thistle, with fellow midfielder Aaron Doran the next in line for a contract extension.
Polworth’s offer had been on the table for several weeks but after agreeing a deal the Inverness-born player becomes just the eighth first-team player to commit to the club for next season.
Having been used only sparingly last season the 21-year-old has enjoyed a successful campaign this year, making 39 appearances and scoring five goals, while also earning him his first Scotland under-21 cap against Northern Ireland last month.
With Polworth now signed until 2019, manager John Hughes has confirmed Irish midfielder Doran has also been made an offer to remain at Caledonian Stadium.
Doran has missed the majority of the campaign due to a knee injury, having not featured since the away leg of Inverness’ Europa League qualifying tie against Romanian side FC Astra in July.
Despite Doran’s lengthy absence, manager John Hughes is keen to keep the former Blackburn Rovers player, who has five Republic of Ireland under-21 caps.
Caley Jags take on Partick Thistle at Firhill tomorrow and, although Doran has recovered from the injury, Hughes does not expect him to play any part in the remaining games.
Hughes said: “He could feature but I don’t think it’s likely, given how long he’s been out. Aaron has to keep working through the off-season, get his break and then keep working.
“Aaron needs to make sure he’s in good shape. The injury is clear, the physios have OK’d that. It’s a big season for Aaron next year with all the uncertainty over his injury. There’s no doubting his ability.
“We’ve stuck by him so it’s a big year for him. Hopefully we get proved right in that decision and he has a wonderful season.”
Tomorrow’s match is the first encounter between the two sides since Hughes contacted Thistle to inform them of his intention to speak to midfield trio Stuart Bannigan, Abdul Osman and Steven Lawless.
Hughes has conceded defeat in his attempts to bring the players to the Highlands however, adding: “I don’t think we’ve got the finance to do the Thistle boys, which is disappointing. We’ve had to come back off that.
“I spoke to two of them and was hoping to convince them to come up here, but we’ve had to put the reins on it.”
