 Terry Butcher is set to bring Eric Odhiambo back to play against St Mirren for a second time this season in their Boxing Day game at the Tulloch Caledonian Stadium. Odhiambo scored both goals in September when Caley beat the Buddies 2-1 in Paisley but has not started since the 2-1 home defeat to Motherwell at the start of November. But with Jonny Hayes set to miss the visits of the Paisley side on Sunday and Kilmarnock on Wednesday, thanks to an ankle injury picked up in training, Butcher is set to recall the stricker to his starting line-up. Butcher said: "I remember the game earlier in the season at St Mirren because it was a lovely, sunny day. I also recall that Eric Odhiambo in particular had a great game, scoring two goals, and he's certainly someone who could come back in and do well. It's disappointing to lose someone like Jonny Hayes, but the squad is such that if we are a man down then someone will step up and fill that position." Caley are sitting in fourth with 27 points after being unbeaten in six games and taking points off Rangers, Celtic and Hearts recently. The former England captain is looking for his players to fight through possible fatigue over the festive season where, after hosting the Buddies and Kilmarnock, Caley travel to first foot St Johnstone on 2 January. Butcher said: "The boys are doing well and they want to play. Sometimes if you tell players they are going to be rested or left out of a game when the team is playing well then it can work against you. The players are all hungry and there is a real determination there to continue the good work that has already been done this season. We are going to be playing three games in the space of a week, but it's a chance for us to reach our next target, which is the 30-point barrier, so we are all looking ahead." Butcher's captain, Richie Foran believes the secret to their success this season is Caley's team spirit. As evidence, the Irishman pointed to defender Kenny Gillet, who has only returned to light training this month after being out with a knee injury since September, drove from Inverness to Newcastle last weekend - a round trip of over 520 miles - to be at the players' Christmas party. Foran said: "I don't think anyone can beat us in terms of team spirit. We have brought the confidence of the title win last season into the SPL and that has played a huge part in how well we've done so far. The main thing, however, has been the togetherness of the squad. When we finish training, a lot of the players spend time with each other away from the club and that has helped the bond. At most clubs you have little cliques of three or four players doing their own thing, but we do things as a squad at Caley Thistle and we take that onto the pitch. We had a good bonding session in Newcastle. No one wanted to miss it. Kenny Gillet even drove all the way from Inverness to Newcastle on the Saturday evening to be there. He didn't have to, but he wanted to and that was tremendous to see him doing it off his own back." |
| Editor Ger Harley (ger@scottishfitba.net) Admin Team (admin@scottishfitba.net) This is Scottish-Fitba.Net |