Injuries piling high for Inverness Caledonian Thistle's trip to Arbroath
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DUNCAN Ferguson is grappling with a mounting injury crisis ahead of tomorrow’s crucial relegation tussle.
The Caley Thistle manager could be without as many as nine of his first team squad at Arbroath.
The match pits the bottom of the table hosts, who hold a game in hand, against a team six points above them. A win either way, would be hugely significant to the victor’s survival hopes.
The latest setbacks to hit Ferguson’s squad are injuries to attacker Nathan Shaw (calf) and young defender Jeremiah Chilokoa-Mullen (back), while Max Anderson is suspended for two games after a failed appeal on last weekend’s straight red card.
Roddy MacGregor, free of long-term injury, has a minor foot issue to join Morgan Boyes, Luis Longstaff, Harry Lodovica and Wallace Duffy in the treatment room.
Ferguson is also monitoring the readiness of striker Alex Samuel, on-loan from Ross County, after his broken hand.
“Nathan had to come off training the other day. We are hoping he is available for Saturday but he has not trained,” he said.
“I will give him every chance because he’s a top player for us. If it’s not Saturday, we are hoping it will be Tuesday.
“Jeremiah is struggling with a back injury. He had a stress fracture in his back when he was younger and it looks like it has resurfaced.
“He’s going for another CT scan, but he will not be available for the next couple of games. Injuries are mounting up.”
Ferguson recognises the importance of grasping a victory in Angus after a run of three winless games at home.
“Arbroath are below us in the league, so it’s going to be tough. If we can win it pushes us well away from them, so it’s a massive match,” the Everton legend said.
“They are fighting for their lives but so are we.
“If Arbroath win it, obviously it brings them much closer to the pack, but if we can win it that would push us further away from them.”
