by Stuart Gillespie

Following their return to the SPL after a year away, Caley Thistle got off to a terrific start and looked dead certs for a place in the top six. A place in Europe even seemed a possibility. However, their form has dipped somewhat in the last few months. They haven't won in the league since November, although they are in the last eight of the Scottish Cup. Their impressive away record, which had seen them undefeated in their travels for more than a year, also fell when, having survived trips to both halves of the Old Firm, they lost at St Johnstone. Despite the lull, Terry Butcher's side are still on course for a place in the top half of the table although many of the teams just below them, including a resurgent Aberdeen side, have games in hand.

Butcher must have breathed a sigh of relief when the transfer window closed at the end of last month as it meant he had been able to hold on to Adam Rooney. The striker has scored 16 goals so far this season to go with the 26 he scored during last year's title winning campaign. Unsurprisingly, that had seen the former Stoke man linked with a number of clubs but few bids were made and those that were made weren't enough to force Butcher to part with his prize asset. He was also able to keep a hold of talented midfielder Johnny Hayes, another man who has been receiving rave reviews this season, and it was no surprise the recent spell of poor form at Inverness coincided with him being out injured for a month.

When Butcher arrived at Inverness in January 2009, he wasted little time in signing up Richie Foran. The pair had worked together when Butcher was manager of Motherwell and the Irishman is now Caley Thistle's captain. He couldn't help them stay in the SPL, but he did score 16 goals as they won the First Division last season despite being utilised in a deeper role for much of the season. Eric Odhiambo has been another successful Butcher signing, having scored four goals since arriving in the summer, while former Saints defender Chris Innes has been getting a run in the side lately and has recently been joined by former Hibs centre half Chris Hogg. Another January signing was Blackburn Rovers winger Aaron Doran, helping boost the Irish contingent in Inverness yet further.

However, Butcher has still kept a number of the players that have been with Caley Thistle for years. Roy McBain, David Proctor, Stuart Golabek, Russell Duncan and Grant Munro are all key parts of the Caley Thistle success story along with Ross Tokely, who will miss the trip to Paisley through suspension. While Caley Thistle have these long serving players they haven't brought through any young players of note. That now seems to be about to change with the likes of Graeme Shinnie and Nick Ross both impressing this season.

Saints and Caley Thistle have met on two occasions this season and each time it was the away side that came out on top. In September Eric Odhiambo scored a double to give Caley Thistle a 2-1 win in Paisley, with Paul McGowan scoring a consolation goal for Saints. On Boxing Day the Buddies got revenge despite Lee Cox scoring early on for the Highlanders, Steven Thomson bagging a brace to give Saints victory. Caley Thistle have yet to lose at the new St Mirren Park as their only other visit, in 2009, saw them win 2-1 thanks to a late Ross Tokely goal. Saints' last win over them in Paisley came at Love Street in December 2008 when they won 2-0.

Saints striker Craig Dargo will be keen to repeat the performance he put in against Ayr United last Saturday when he comes up against his former club tomorrow. The forward scored twice at Somerset to end a lengthy goal drought and manager Danny Lennon will be hoping he can continue the form and stay free from injury. The partnership with Michael Higdon seemed to work well and is likely to be put into action once again, although Paul McGowan is an injury doubt after being subbed at Somerset. Definitely out is Jim Goodwin, who is suspended, and with Paddy Cregg struggling with injury it is likely Hugh Murray could come in to the starting line-up. Also out through injury are Nick Hegarty, David Barron and Garry Brady.

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