Ross ready to step up recovery

Inverness midfielder Nick Ross says he needs to add both stamina and goals to his game as he continues his recovery from injury.

Last Updated: 12/02/13 at 17:38 Post Comment   

Nick Ross: Hoping to get fit

Nick Ross: Hoping to get fit

The 21-year-old dislocated his shoulder in August but only returned to action just before the new year.

He has made three brief substitute appearances since then before reclaiming his starting role for games against Kilmarnock and Celtic as he readjusts to the hectic pace of the Scottish Premier League.

But Scotland Under-21 cap Ross - who struck the opener in Saturday's 3-1 defeat to Neil Lennon's SPL champions - insists he needs to complement his growing lung capacity with an eye for goal.

He said: "It was very good to get on the scoresheet at the weekend. It's something I need to add to my game. In my first season in the SPL it took me 30-odd games to get a goal.

"So it was good to get one against Celtic after coming back from being injured.

"It was just a shame about the result and we'll look to do better tomorrow.

"I've got two for the season and two isn't bad. I'd obviously like to do a lot more. Just getting games at the moment is the important thing. If I can get back fit, hopefully the goals will come."

Ross injured his shoulder in another defeat to the Hoops just four games into the new campaign and was forced to undergo surgery before he could resume playing duties.

But the pace of the SPL is still taking him time to get used to.

"It's good to be back," he said. "I was stuck on the bench for a long time and in the gym getting fit again and that's tough.

"I'm still getting used to the tempo. On Saturday it was tough, a bit of a struggle. The first 20 minutes were hectic but I got used to it before tiring at the end.

"But that is to be expected because of the length of time I was out for. Playing games is what is important now and the more I play the stronger I'll get."

Ross' return to the Caley Thistle squad has coincided with the team's worst run of form so far this season.

Despite sitting joint-second in the top-flight standings, the Highlanders have won just one of their last seven matches.

They were also knocked out of two cup competitions in the space of a week with defeats to Hearts and Kilmarnock amid a run that now stretches to four consecutive loses.

The visit of Killie to the Caledonian Stadium on Wednesday on league business now offers Ross and his colleagues a chance to try and right their ailing vessel.

He said: "Maybe a month ago, we'd have won a couple of these games. We're playing well right now but just not getting the results.

"We went to Kilmarnock and played quite well but got beat 2-0, then did the same at St Mirren.

"Results just aren't going for us but we are trying hard to change that.

"However, every time we look at the table, we know we are having a good season and that a couple of results isn't really a set-back, just a few games where we could have done better."

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