Duncan Ferguson says Inverness Caley Thistle are once again down to the 'bare bones' after defender Nikola Ujdur suffers relapse of hamstring injury
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Inverness Caledonian Thistle's seemingly improving injury situation has been hit with a setback after defender Nikola Ujdur aggravated his hamstring issue again.
The Australian centre back returned to the substitutes' bench last weekend, albeit without playing any part in the goalless draw with Airdrieonians.
Ujdur has not featured since February 17th, when he came on as an 89th minute substitute in the 3-3 draw with Partick Thistle – but he had already seemed to lose his place in the starting line-up, not having began a league match since January 2.
Still, with numbers becoming an issue in the Highland capital, Ujdur's absence will be keenly felt going into Saturday's match against Ayr United – especially given James Carragher picked up a knock of his own in the Airdrie stalemate.
"Nikola Ujdur has injured his hamstring again, so unfortunately he is out and we are down to the bare bones," manager Duncan Ferguson revealed.
"Morgan is still available and hanging in there, but Niko is out. He trained for a couple of days, but has injured his hamstring once more.
"All the long-termers are still out. No one is close – Nathan Shaw is out and Sean McAllister (thigh) will be another four-to-six weeks.
"James Carragher has not trained all week either. He has got a bruised foot, but we are hopeful he will make it for Saturday.
"He got a bad knock against Airdrie. There was nothing done about it (by referee Calum Scott), but there you go."
With options hardly plentiful, Ferguson has been looking at triallists to give his side one last boost before the end of the season.
Last week he revealed consideration was being given to signing son Cameron, and there is one more attacking option that could be brought in – if he can prove his fitness.
"Cameron never scored a hat-trick in a bounce game the other day, although he played well again," Ferguson added.
"Because of the low numbers within the squad, Cameron is a consideration. He is a good player and he is on my mind.
"We're still looking at a player who had come from a team in England, but had been out in the Czech Republic. Unfortunately, he is still injured.
"He has only trained for a couple of days. He was not available for the bounce game on Tuesday, so we are no further forward because we can't sign a player who is injured.
"The signing deadline is the end of this month, so we still have a wee bit of time. He needs to get on the training field and prove his fitness before we can offer him a contract.
"He's a 10, striker, plays off the sides. He is a good forward player."
