The Gable Endies currently sit one position, and four points, ahead of the Black and Golds in League One. They also have a game in hand.
Speaking ahead of the game, Annan manager Wullie Gibson said: “You can see how the league is going. Inverness have closed the gap and other teams are maybe starting to climb away.
“That’s what makes this Saturday even more important, because we know what’s at stake.
“If we lose we will go seven points behind Montrose who will also have a game in hand.”
Last weekend Inverness, who currently occupy the League One relegation play-off spot, cut the gap between themselves and eighth place Annan to just four points after running out 3-0 winners at Galabank.
Gibson added: “We were missing some key players. That affects any team, but Annan as a club, and where we are, it’s going to play a big part in how the game goes.
“I wanted to play Tam Muir up front but then Rhys Breen went over on his ankle, so we needed Tam at the back.
“For a lot of the first half it was okay, but when they scored things changed.
“It was the manner of the goals that really frustrated me and that’s the biggest thing I’ve taken away from it.”
Injuries to key players
Annan were without Aidan Smith, Scott Hooper, Max Kilsby, Rhys Breen and Tommy Goss for the visit of Caley Thistle, while the manager revealed Josh Todd was playing through the pain barrier.
Gibson is hopeful Todd and Breen will be back in contention for tomorrow’s crunch clash.
Meanwhile, a date has not yet been put on the return of star striker Tommy Goss following his knee operation.
The manager said: “Scans only tell you so much. Tommy had his pre-op, the surgeon said he was going to go in and do a clean up.
“He’s had to get a little bit more work done and he’s on restricted movement until the 30th of January.
“He’ll see the surgeon again then and see how quick he can get back to playing.
“The last thing you want is for him to go through the operation, rush back and end up out for longer.”
Transfer window latest
Work remains ongoing behind the scenes as the management team look to add to the squad. It remains unclear if there will be any new signings on show against tomorrow’s visitors.
Gibson said: “Rhys Breen’s loan runs out on Sunday and I’m working incredibly hard to try and extend that until the end of the season. We’re also looking to add to the frontline.”
- Annan Athletic welcome Montrose to Galabank at 3 pm tomorrow afternoon
