Caley Thistle manager Richie Foran may decide against throwing new signing Henri Anier straight into tomorrow’s Scottish Cup tie at Elgin City to keep him fresh for Inverness’ Premiership survival bid.
Estonian forward Anier this week joined Inverness until the end of the season after leaving Swedish side Kalmar, but had not played for the Allsvenskan club since October.
Caley Jags are bottom of the league and without a victory in their last 10 games.
Foran knows the importance of his side’s looming league fixtures and is wary of risking Anier in the Borough Briggs tie.
Foran said: “I’m not sure about Henri and whether he is ready for a start or a place on the bench.
“He last played at the end of October, so he’s had a bit of time off. He’s fit and sharp, and looking the part. But I don’t want to rush him, I don’t want to throw him in too early and cause a problem.
“I’d rather him maybe even miss out this weekend if it means he’ll play for the next few months, rather than for him to break down if I throw him in too early.”
Foran has high hopes for Anier, who has 34 caps and seven goals for his country, with Caley Jags becoming the attacker’s fourth Scottish club following spells at Motherwell, Dundee United and Hibernian.
Foran says Anier’s arrival has lifted spirits in the dressing room and he is confident the 26-year-old will make an impact with the Highlanders, adding: “He knows the Scottish game inside out. He knows it is an aggressive, strong league where players must be up for a duel.
“He’s not new to it, which is good for us straight away. I have seen a real freshness about the players this week. The hunger was always there but we’ve seen a little bit more this week.
“We’ve got competition for places, just with one or two coming in.
“Henri coming in lifts the dressing room, it lifts the club, and it lifts the supporters when we bring someone of his quality in. It can only help in training as well.”
