Jordan Roberts ready to show Inverness fans what he can really do
Jordan Roberts is excited about the prospect of showing the Inverness fans what he has to offer following two false starts to his Caley Thistle career.
The summer signing from Aldershot, who has recovered from a groin problem, is hoping to make his Ladbrokes Premiership debut when Partick Thistle visit the Highlands on Saturday.
The winger played in the club's Europa League campaign in July but then suffered a groin injury and made an aborted comeback in training.
He finally got back on the pitch for the final seven minutes of Caley Thistle's midweek William Hill Scottish Cup win over Stirling and now aims to kick-start his career in Scotland.
The 22-year-old said: "It's been a long time coming. To cross the white line was the main aim for me. Hopefully I can push on from here and get more game time.
"The last time the fans and manager have seen me play was pre-season. They have not seen much of me. It's an exciting time and I'm willing to get my head down and show the fans what I can do.
"I'm a positive runner with the ball, attacking and take the game to defenders. I like to contribute goals, setting up goals, and bring what I can to the team.
"I bring my own qualities, whether that's pace, goals, assists, crossing, but I'm waiting to get the chance to show the fans what I can do and hopefully it's positive."
Roberts is among a host of Inverness players to have suffered long lay-offs this season but competition for places has intensified in recent weeks.
"It's hard when you're injured because you are not around the lads as much and you are in the gym doing your rehab," he said. "But to be back is a positive and it's just down to me now to work hard and show the gaffer what I can do and hopefully push for a place in the starting XI.
"It's not going to be easy, there have been very good performances from the lads. The lads are picking up points so it's going to be a hard challenge for me but I'm ready to go."
Inverness were dealt a fresh injury blow this week after recent signing Alex Fisher was ruled out for up to two months out with a chipped ankle bone.
Josh Meekings and James Vincent (both knee) remain on the sidelines while Lewis Horner (foot) could miss out again.
Long-term absentees Dean Brill and Aaron Doran (both knee) are still out.
Meanwhile, Partick have secured another key player on a long-term contract after Tomas Cerny committed himself to Firhill until the summer of 2018.
The 30-year-old former Hamilton and Hibernian goalkeeper has extended his stay after keeping six clean sheets in his first 19 appearances for the Jags.
Earlier this week Thistle announced a new three-and-a-half year contract for top goalscorer Kris Doolan, who will have a testimonial year in 2019, which will be his 10th season at the club.
Doolan said: "To have such a long contract is something I'm delighted with.
"It shows the ambition of the club as well that they are willing to give out such a long contract, and it also shows my loyalty to the club."
The 29-year-old has scored 82 goals in 257 appearances for Thistle - making him 15th in the club's list of goalscorers - and has targeted some club milestones as well as aiming to keep the team on an upward curve.
Speaking ahead of the Inverness game, the former Auchinleck Talbot forward said: "At every club there are ups and downs but there have been a lot of highs here.
"I've been breaking a lot of records goalscoring-wise. Every time I score I seem to catch someone on the all-time list.
"I'm closing in on 100 goals for the club and I'd like to break that barrier as quickly as I can. I'm closing on the top 10 of all time as well so that's something I have my eye on as well.
"A trophy would be great for any club at any level. We have to look after our league position but if we keep progressing the way we have been year upon year there's no reason why we can't finish in the top six of this league."
Thistle could be without Mathias Pogba (hamstring) and Gary Fraser (ankle) again with the pair struggling to overcome injuries.
Abdul Osman returns from suspension but Liam Lindsay drops out with a ban.
Ryan Edwards is unavailable due to international duty with the Australia Under-23 squad.
Source: PAR
