Butcher not expecting Rooney back at ICT
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TERRY Butcher is already pushing ahead with finding a replacement for striker Adam Rooney.
Caley Thistle's top scorer for the past two season's is currently out of contract and has been talking to several English clubs about a possible return south of the border having previously been at English Premiership side Stoke City.
Championship clubs Derby County and Reading have been suggested as possible destinations for Rooney, while League Two newcomers Crawley Town are understood to have offered the Irishman a contract.
Crawley have significant financial backing, while former Caley Thistle manager Craig Brewster, who signed Rooney for Inverness back in the summer of 2008, is on the coaching staff of the West Sussex side.
Rooney, who has been offered a new one-year deal by ICT, was not there to start pre-season training with the Highland Capital club this week and Butcher is now looking to the future without the 23-year-old spearheading Caley Thistle's forward line.
"We are preparing for life without Adam," said the Caley Jags manager. "I have to look at it from the point of view that he is not going to be here.
"We've not given up on keeping Adam and if he doesn't manage to agree terms with a club down south then it would be fantastic to have him back.
"If I'm being honest, I expected it and we have already planned for life without him, so we'll pursue other targets."
Meanwhile, Butcher confirmed there are currently five trialists at the club, but would not reveal their identities.
They could be given the chance to impress on Monday (27th June) when Caley Thistle begin their pre-season campaign with a friendly against Clach at Grant Street Park (kick-off 7.30pm)
