Williams needs to build-up fitness - Malpas
"The way the teams playing just now, I don’t think there’s any fear about having to change it because the players have probably got used to it this season."
"I’ve got to admit that even I’ve been surprised by how well Richie has done and while he’ll be a miss on Saturday the chance is there for someone to come in.
"Richie has done very well," said Malpas, who confirmed that while both Ross Tokely and Andrew Shinnie returned to training yesterday, they remain doubtful for tomorrow’s encounter at Motherwell.
The loss of Foran is a blow, particularly with Caley Thistle currently on a three-game unbeaten run, but Malpas is certain it will not affect the team too much, no matter who comes into replace the skipper.
The 31-year-old has been a standout performer for Inverness of late in a new holding midfield role, so much so that his displays have even taken aback Malpas.
Of more immediate concern for Caley Thistle in terms of suspension is finding a replacement to fill the void left by captain Richie Foran, who is banned for the league fixture at third place Motherwell.
"We felt we had to go for it and support our player as Kenny told us that he got to the ball first, but the panel thought otherwise so he now misses the replay."
"They (the Scottish Football Association’s fast track appeal panel) gave us credit for the case we put forward, but unfortunately in their eyes they didn’t think it proved 100 per cent conclusively that Kenny Gillet got a touch on the ball before he made contact with the Dunfermline player," said Malpas.
Williams is unavailable for Caley Thistle’s Scottish Cup replay at Dunfermline on Wednesday — a game Kenny Gillet will also miss after Inverness lost their appeal to have the red card he received in last weekend’s 1-1 draw with the Pars in the fourth round of the competition overturned at Hampden yesterday.
"Steve is an out and out defender, who is strong in the air, and I think that’s what we’ve been needing at the back."
"We’ve had a spell this season when four or five of the defenders have been out injured, so it’s an area we felt we had to strengthen.
"I’m sure that he’ll be involved in the squad for Saturday, but I doubt it will be from the start, although that’s ultimately up to the manager.
"I would think Saturday would come too soon for him and it would be unfair on him as he only had his first training session with us today (Thursday).
"There’s a big difference between playing reserve football in England and playing in the Scottish Premier League," he said.
Despite playing reserve football down south, Caley Thistle assistant manager Maurice Malpas believes Williams will need time to work on his fitness before he can be considered to play from the start.
The 24-year-old has been out of favour with the Bantams for much of the season, making only three appearances, his last coming in mid-November.
Central defender Williams, who yesterday completed a loan move to Inverness until the end of the season from English League Two side Bradford City following a successful trial last week, will be involved in the Caley Jags squad for tomorrow’s trip to Motherwell, but is not expected to feature.
CALEY Thistle new boy Steve Williams may have to wait for his debut as he strives to get himself up to the pace required to play in the Scottish Premier League.
