Caley Thistle manager John Hughes is hopeful Iain Vigurs and Tobi Sho-Silva will return in time for this weekend’s Highland derby encounter against Ross County at Dingwall.
The pair have both been out since picking up knocks in a recent bounce match against Clachnacuddin, with midfielder Vigurs suffering an ankle injury and Charlton Athletic loanee Sho-Silva picking up a knee injury.
Inverness defeated Premiership leaders Aberdeen 2-1 at Caledonian Stadium on Saturday, despite going into the match with a depleted squad which limited them to just five substitutes.
Also missing the game were long-term absentees Dean Brill, Gary Warren and Aaron Doran, along with Carl Tremarco, Dani Lopez, Richie Foran and Jordan Roberts.
Hughes ranks Vigurs and Sho-Silva as the most likely to return in time for the trip to Victoria Park, as Caley Jags aim to come out on top in the first north derby of the campaign.
Hughes said: “Tobi will be back this week, and hopefully Iain will be, too.
“Tobi passed a fitness test on Saturday morning but we never took the chance with the strain he’s got.
“He was very close to making the Aberdeen game and the second half would have been made for him as he’s electric quick.
“He’ll be ready to go this week, though.”
Hughes says his players must be prepared to show versatility while Caley Jags wait for their injury concerns to ease. He added: “It’s nothing new. We had eight on the training pitch on Thursday.
“Last year we were very lucky that we had players who could play in a number of positions.
“Carl Tremarco pulled out as his groin went, so Danny Williams went back to left back.
“They are starting to come back, though.”
Hughes has also challenged wide midfielder Andrea Mbuyi-Mutombo to prove his fitness, with the Congolese international having made two substitute appearances since a red card picked up in a 1-1 draw against Dundee last month kept him out for two games.
Hughes said: “We still need to get Andrea up to speed. He needs a right good pre-season under him as he’s been carrying knocks.”