Caley Jags boss facing ‘worst ever injury list’

Caley Thistle manager John Robertson says the Highlanders ’ current injury predicament is the worst he has experienced in his professional career.

Inverness could be without seven players for tomorrow’s Championship home match against Ayr Un i t e d , wi t h injuries having continued to pile up through the early part of the season.

Robertson had already been without Aaron Doran, David Carson, Miles Storey, Lewis Toshney and Shane Sutherland for last w e e k e n d ’s defeat at Dunfermline.

All five are likely to miss out once again, although Irishman Doran has returned to light training.

The depleted squad was even further stretched by a rib injur y suffered by Nikolay Todorov, while Kevin McHattie has also picked up a hip injury which is expected to keep him out for several weeks. Todorov will be assessed ahead of tomorrow’s game after taking part in light training sessions, while onloan Rangers attacker Kai Kennedy is back in contention following a period of self- isolation, having been with Scotland under-19s when head coach Billy Stark tested positive for coronavirus.

Robertson says the injury situation is the worst he has experienced, with the list of absentees only trumped by a flu bug which ravaged his Hearts squad during his tenure as Tynecastle boss 16 years ago. Robertson said: “There’s no doubt, it is the worst I’ve seen in terms of the amount of missing personnel. We’ll deal with it – and it gives the younger lads an opportunity.

“Apart from a really bad flu and sickness virus we had at Hearts when, for seven to 10 days, there were 22 or 23 lads off at one stage, it’s the worst.

“It’s the worst in terms of muscle injuries I’ve seen.”

Robertson had feared Todorov had fractured a rib against Dunfermline, after being injured in a collision with Pars skipper Euan Murray shortly after the Bulgarian had put the Highlanders in front.

Robertson is pleased the injury is not as serious as first suspected, adding: “Thankfully for him it is not what we initially thought – it is h e av y bruising in the ribs and lung area.”

Robertson is pleased to have 18-year-old Kennedy available for the first time following his loan switch from the Ibrox side, and the Caley Jags manager added: “He will be involved, whether he starts or not. We’ll have a look at him, but he will certainly be in the squad.

“He’s fit and has trained the last two weeks while in self-isolation so in terms of physical fitness and matches he is ready to go.”