Inverness boss Craig Brewster has challenged Barry Wilson to follow his example by earning an extension to his new short-term contract.Wilson signed on for another six months with Caley Thistle this week, having impressed since returning from a brief loan spell at St Johnstone.

His future with the club will be reassessed at the end of the year.

Brewster assured the 36-year-old midfielder another extension will be tabled if he does enough to earn it in the first half of next season.

"He has come back from St Johnstone with a spring in his step, he's been very positive and he totally deserves another six months," Brewster said.

"I've got to try to keep challenging players and it's up to him to rise to the challenge.

"He's been very positive and that's what you're looking for. When you're an experienced player it's important you conduct yourself in the right manner and he's been doing great."

Former striker Brewster was speaking from experience, having played on until beyond his 40th birthday.

He left Aberdeen in August to return to Inverness as assistant manager, having experienced a similar contractual situation as a player with the Dons to the circumstances Wilson now finds himself in.

"I signed for six months at Aberdeen and then for another six months at Aberdeen," he said.

"As everybody knows, the older you get the tougher it becomes, and it's important you look after yourself."

Brewster last turned out for Inverness in September, and having since turned 41 he insists his playing days are over. One last appearance in tomorrow's final game of the season against St Mirren is highly unlikely.

"I don't think so," he said. "I'm still playing in training but I don't think it's going to happen."

Inverness will secure ninth place if they beat St Mirren at home, and a draw would suffice unless the Buddies pull off a shock victory over Rangers on Monday.

"We don't want to drop a place," Brewster stressed.

"St Mirren are obviously trying to catch us and it's up to us to make home advantage count."

Gus MacPherson's side could have former Inverness striker Craig Dargo in their starting line-up, and he will be seeking to add to his miserable tally of just one goal this season.

Dargo was prolific for Inverness but has failed to sparkle since departing last summer.

Despite his struggles, Brewster is convinced Dargo will come good again.

"He's been plagued by injury," said the Caley Thistle boss. "Once he gets a good pre-season under his belt, he'll be flying for next season."

Inverness will be able to relax for a while in the summer after what Brewster accepts has been a rollercoaster season.

"We had seven wins out of nine and then we lost seven on the bounce so it's certainly been up and down," he said.

"I always stress that there's very little between a lot of the teams. That shows you how close it can be from winning to losing games. Suddenly you're on a run and everything seems to be going for you.

"Then suddenly you start losing games and one game leads to another and then to another and suddenly you're on a losing streak."

Since their run of seven defeats, Inverness have won three of their last five matches.

"Credit to the players, they've responded well," said Brewster. "It's up to us to try to finish the season with a win."

Striker Graham Bayne could feature tomorrow despite admitting he is assessing his options.

"Graham's been frustrated he's not played a lot of games from the start," said Brewster.

"But he's still an Inverness Caley player and we'll wait to see if that changes."

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