Caley Thistle midfielder Ross Draper says the Highlanders have no time to feel sorry for themselves despite being hit by an injury crisis.
Inverness were without Richie Foran, Carl Tremarco, James Vincent, Aaron Doran, Jordan Roberts and Dean Brill for last weekend’s 1-0 defeat against Motherwell, with manager John Hughes able to name only five substitutes.
To make matters worse, captain Gary Warren suffered a broken leg, which is likely to keep him out for several months, while fellow defender Josh Meekings was forced off with a knee injury.
Tremarco, Vincent and Doran returned to training this week but Hughes’ squad remains stretched ahead of today’s Premiership match away to St Johnstone.
Englishman Draper says the squad must rally to ensure Inverness are not left to play catch-up this season.
Draper said: “Sometimes we’ve got to use negatives to come out with a positive on the other side.
“Is it an ideal situation we’re in? No. We’d love to have a full squad to pick from and boys competing for places. But take the positives. It’s a chance for other players to play who maybe haven’t had the chance to show the manager what they’ve got.
“Players can come in, stake a claim and if they do well then when the other boys come back, no one’s place is safe.
“That’s a headache I’m sure the manager would love.
“We have to take the positives. There was a great atmosphere at training this week. Nothing changes in that regard.
“It was one poor performance and we know what to do. We’ve had a meeting and spoken about how we will bounce back.
“Yes, we’ve lost a couple of players and we have injuries, but no excuses. We’ve just got to go again and the boys are ready for it.”
Caley Jags recorded their most successful season, winning the Scottish Cup and finishing third in the Premiership, and despite starting the campaign in defeat Draper remains hopeful his side can defy the odds once again.
The 26-year-old added: “We’ve thrived on the underdogs tag we’ve carried for three years. We’ve been written off consistently.
“Top six was never even an issue in my first season and wasn’t really considered achievable.
“Now there’s been one semi-final and two finals in three years.
“No one gives us a chance and that’s fine by us. We crack on. We’ll use the underdogs mentality to kick on again.”