Ross County manager Jim McIntyre believes substitutes will play a key role in helping his side off the foot of the Premiership table.
Liam Boyce and Darren Maatsen came off the bench against Dundee on Saturday and combined to score the winning goal which secured the first points of the season.
McIntyre reckons their performances, along with that of Dutchman Melvin de Leeuw, have boosted their chances of starting in Sunday’s Highland derby against Caley Thistle.
McIntyre said: “It’s important the substitutes come on and make a mark and the three of them did on Saturday.
“I’m really pleased with Darren’s contribution. He came on and scored and I’m delighted for him, while Liam Boyce had a hand in the goal as well.
“Any time substitutes do well they are in my thoughts for the next game. It’s a squad game and everybody is going to get used.”
McIntyre has enjoyed a noticeably buoyant dressing room following Maatsen’s stoppage-time winner against the Dark Blues.
The County manager hopes to take momentum into his first Highland derby in charge of the Dingwall club and added: “There’s no better time to score. When it’s as dramatic and late as that it sends everybody home with a feelgood factor. That’s been missing here for a long time, so it was great to do it.”