Doran aims to impress whatever his future

Championship: Midfielder’ s focus solely on regaining his best form

Aaron Doran is happy to put thoughts about his future to the back of his mind as he focuses on rediscovering peak form with Caley Thistle.

Midfielder Doran has enjoyed a run in Inverness’ side since returning to action in November after his recovery from a second knee operation in two years.

The Irishman was a consistent performer for Caley Jags during the club’s topflight days, after his arrival from Blackburn Rovers in 2011. He is determined to recapture that form after finally appearing to have overcome his injury worries, however, the 26-yearold remains unsure what lies ahead for him with his Inverness contract up this summer.

He said: “To be honest, I haven’t even thought about it. There are two weeks left before my contract is up, but I’m fit and have had no problems whatsoever since returning.

“I’m scoring goals, so I know when I get back to my top level of fitness what I’m capable of.

“I’ve played at a level above this and if I can get back to anywhere near my best there will be options for me, whether that’s here or somewhere else.

“I haven’t gone to the manager asking about a contract or anything like that. I’m just trying to get out there and impress and help the team finish as high as possible.

“He will probably speak to me then, but that’s not on my mind at all. I’m happy to be fit, playing and back scoring goals. That’s my main aim.

“This is the first time in two years I’ve been coming into the summer injuryfree. I feel really good.

“I’m probably still playing a little bit of catch-up with the rest of the lads because I haven’t had a preseason and only started my first game in January. I feel really good and have scored a few goals now. I just want to play as much as I can in these remaining games.”

Caley Jags face Dumbarton for the second time in four days when they make the trip to the YOUR Radio 103FM Stadium this evening, after Saturday’s 5-1 home win over the Sons.

Doran does not believe fatigue will be an issue, adding: “I think the lads still feel fresh. We’re getting days off and not training as much.”

Caley Jags can keep their late push for a play-off place going with a victory tonight, in the first of four remaining matches, and Doran feels momentum is on the Highlanders’ side.

He added: “With the way we have been playing in the last few weeks, I think we can do it.

“We know we need to win every game and there are a lot of tough games left, but we’re going out there confident and we have a lot of momentum behind us right now.

“Considering our last few performances, I don’t see why we can’t go out and win those games.” Dumbarton’s place in the play-offs along with three sides from League 1 will be confirmed tonight if they fail to beat Inverness Caledonian Thistle in the second game between the sides in three days. The signs are not good for Stephen Aitken’s side as inform Caley romped to a 5-1 win at the weekend and the Dumbarton boss admits that some of his players are running on empty.

Aitken said: “We actually started quite well at Inverness on Saturday and scored a really wellworked goal however they equalised quickly and then went ahead just before halftime with a soft goal. That changed everything and it became a contest between a full time side who are building momentum for a shot at promotion and a part-time side who have played a lot of football recently.

“Inverness have taken a lift from beating us in the Irn-Bru Cup final and they are putting a run together at the right time. They are big, strong and powerful and we simply have to find a way of getting a team out who can match that.

“Our guys have given us everything and we need to ask them to do that again as we can still avoid finishing second bottom. It is a big ask as there are some tired legs in our ranks and we could not fill the bench on Saturday due to the injuries but I am sure the guys will go out again and give everything that they can.”

Aitken added: “We have to look to win and hope that St Mirren carry on with their Championship winning form and beat Falkirk. Inverness will also be determined to win to set them up for their run in against three promotion chasing sides Dunfermline, Livingston and then Morton.”

Aidan Wilson and Stuart Carswell could return for the Sons however Sam Wardrop, David Smith, Liam Dick and Iain Russell are remain out injured.

LOOKING TO PEAK: Aaron Doran is determined to recapture his best form

Talking football: Stephen Aitken, right, with assistant Ian Durrant and Inverness coach Brian Rice