Caley Thistle manager John Hughes believes captain Richie Foran can play a prominent role for the Highlanders next season, despite barely featuring in two years because of injury.
The 35-year-old Irishman has been on the pitch for only 42 minutes of Caley Thistle’s league campaign this season but made the most of a late appearance in Saturday’s 4-1 win at Partick Thistle by setting up the game’s final goal by Jordan Roberts.
The Irishman, who is under contract until the summer of 2017, has endured a terrible time since suffering a knee injury in March 2014 which resulted in a 21-month of absence.
Hughes, however, remains optimistic Foran can re-establish himself after the summer break.
He said: “Richie has had a horrendous two years since I have been at the club. A few months ago it was touch and go as he was getting one problem after another.
“It is only over the last six weeks to two months he has been training regularly and not having to miss training sessions through injury.
“He has got himself fitter because of that and he is staying injury-free.
“He deserves a lot of credit. Getting Richie game time from now until the end of the season will get him prepared for a really good pre-season.
“Having him coming back is like a new signing. We have been watching him very closely but he has to stay injury-free.
“He has been working very hard on the training pitch and I can see him getting much sharper. Fingers crossed, we can keep getting him game time and he doesn’t suffer any injury problems.”
Andrea Mutombo, who is out of contract at the end of the season, was hugely impressive for Caley Thistle in Saturday’s emphatic win at Firhill which secured the club’s place in the top flight.
But manager Hughes felt he was not the only one who played his part in a superb display.
He added: “The pick of the bunch were Ross Draper and Carl Tremarco. Draper set the tone by winning tackles and getting us on the front foot.
“He played at a really high tempo, while no one got past Tremarco and that allowed the rest of the players to do their stuff.
“I was delighted we scored four goals at a venue we have struggled at in the past.”