The news Leeds United loan defender Jeremiah Chilokoa-Mullen is out for the rest of the season dominated Caley Thistle boss Duncan Ferguson’s pre-Dunfermline press conference.
The Scotland under-21 centre-half, who only arrived in Inverness on a short-term stint last month, has suffered a stress fracture in his back.
He is among 12 potential absentees for Tuesday’s crunch Championship home meeting with Dunfermline Athletic.
Anything less will leave the Highlanders in trouble ahead of Saturday’s trip to in-form promotion pushers Morton.
Team news: 11 injured, one suspended
Ferguson confirmed his thin playing pool had been weakened further by Chilokoa-Mullen’s diagnosis after just four ICT appearances.
Of the 19-year-old, he said: “Jeremiah has a stress fracture in his back, so he is out for the season. That’s a big one for us as he’s a good young player.
“We’re down to the bare bones. We will reduce the load in training to make sure we don’t pick up any more injuries in training. It’s such a crucial time of the season.”
Injured trio Harry Lodovica, Luis Longstaff and Lewis Nicolson were already out long-term, and Inverness’ crocked list is “mounting up”, according to Ferguson.
Defenders Nikola Ujdur (hamstring), Wallace Duffy (calf) and Morgan Boyes (knee) join midfielders Charlie Gilmour (knee) and Roddy MacGregor (foot) and forwards Alex Samuel (shin) and Adam Brooks (thigh) on the casualty list.
On-loan Dundee midfielder Max Anderson sits out Tuesday due to suspension, meaning a dozen players could be out for the Pars’ clash – with Samuel and Duffy rated as having the best chance of making the squad.
Cammy Harper’s stoppage-time goal earned ICT a crucial 1-1 draw at basement hosts Arbroath on Saturday.
It keeps Ferguson’s team six points above Jim McIntyre’s strugglers, having played one match more.
Dunfermline ended a nine-match winless run in all competitions when they shocked third-placed Partick Thistle 3-1 on Friday to leapfrog ICT up to sixth position.
Ahead of the Caledonian Stadium game, the Fifers hold a two-point advantage and have played one fixture fewer than ICT.
