Duncan Ferguson takes former Arsenal, Aberdeen and Livingston striker Jay Emmanuel-Thomas on trial with Inverness Caley Thistle
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
FORMER Aberdeen player Jay Emmanuel-Thomas could be set to resurrect his career by becoming Duncan Ferguson’s second signing at Caley Thistle.
The ex-Livingston striker, who began his career with Arsenal, joined the Dons under freedom of contract in May 2021 under Stephen Glass.
But JET, as he was nicknamed, was to have had his two-year contract terminated just 11 months later after netting just once in 12 starts and 12 sub appearances.
Caley Thistle hopes to rekindle the form the imposing 32-year-old showed in a single season with Livingston, where he netted nine times in 19 starts.
The striker, who also had spells at clubs including Ipswich, Bristol City and QPR, most recently tried his luck with Owen Coyle’s former Indian club Jamshedpur, but has been without a contract since June.
He remains on trial at Caley Thistle, who earlier this week tied up St Johnstone legend David Wotherspoon as Ferguson’s first capture.
Ferguson said: “We’ve brought in a big striker, Jay Emmanual-Thomas, or JET as he’s known.
“He’s a big lad with a good pedigree. He came through at Arsenal as a youth.
“He’s been around a bit, but he’s a good big striker.
“His fitness is not quite there yet, but we’re working on that. He will get a contract if he shapes up.”
Ferguson was delighted to have David Wotherspoon on board and could hand him his debut at Morton this weekend.
The former Rangers, Everyon and Newcastle striker said: “David Wotherspoon comes in as our first signing. He brings a lot of experience.
“I did my homework on him and spoke to a couple of people at St Johnstone, who spoke very highly of him. He trained well with us.
“He scored in a bounce game against Ross County last week. He also did well enough on Wednesday, so he will be a good addition.
He’s a proven winner who has won a lot of trophies.
“It is always good the fans are on board. I think we have a quality signing there.
“It is easy to drift out of football. You are easily forgotten about. Before you know it, the phone never rings.
“I’m glad we have got him back into football because he is a quality player. I’m sure he will do very well for us.”
Ferguson has a clutch of injury troubles to contend with ahead of the clash of the Championship’s bottom two.
Aaron Doran, who picked up a hamstring injury in the draw with Partick, is set to miss three months.
Centre half Morgan Boyes has a serious eye infection after scraping his cornea, while potential replacement Danny Devine has suffered a swollen knee.
Both goalkeepers, Mark Ridgers and Cammy Mackay, are nursing knocks but “should be okay” for Cappielow, Ferguson said.
Skipper Sean Welsh is out for another three weeks after taking a hefty knock to his back in his comeback in the North of Scotland Cup against Nairn County on Wednesday.
