No scope to bring in injury replacements, says Caley Thistle boss John Hughes
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JOHN Hughes maintains he will not add to his squad despite losing Gary Warren to a broken leg in the 1-0 loss to Motherwell.
Warren was taken to hospital following a collision with Stephen Pearson, with Caley Thistle confirming the break on Sunday morning. Hughes was also forced to remove Josh Meekings because of injury but the Caley Thistle boss said there is not the budget to make further additions.
The only defensive cover Inverness have brought in this summer is Nat Wedderburn, who can play at the back or in midfield, but he was sacrificed in the first half for debutant Andrea Mbuyi-Mutombo.
Wes Fletcher's fourth-minute goal ensured the points would be returning to Fir Park but it was the injuries, particulary to Warren, that put a further black mark on the game.
Jordan Roberts, Carl Tremarco and James Vincent were already ruled out, while Aaron Doran and Richie Foran were not present in the match-day squad.
But recruiting to cover the gaps is not an option, insists Hughes.
"We haven't got the budget. We've got players that are adaptable and can play in a number of positions, with one or two that we need to get up to speed," he said.
"There isn't the money to bring anyone else in so we're just hoping to get one or two back."
Motherwell counterpart Ian Baraclough believes his decision to play newly-added goalkeeper Connor Ripley against the Caley Jags was vindicated, following a debut clean sheet.
The 22-year-old signed a six-month loan deal at Fir Park on Friday and was pitched into action in Inverness just 24 hours later, ahead of Dan Twardzik.
Baraclough concedes he had a tough choice but one that ultimately paid off.
"When called upon, Connor dealt with everything with no fuss," he said. "He's a big presence, a confident boy and come in within 24 hours and not really known the lads.
"His performance probably vindicates picking him over Dan Twardzik."
There was also praise for Fletcher, following his debut goal.
"If you watched Wes in pre-season, a lot of his goals are the same. He follows in on the keeper and always seems to find an extra yard in the box," said Baraclough.
