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Victory against Airdrie tonight will see Ross County climb out of the relegation zone for the first time since November 16 - but Dingwall manager Neale Cooper insists the club's league position will be the last thing on his mind.
Manager Cooper and his Victoria Park squad have done their best to ignore their First Division standing and concentrate on improving their performances since slipping into the bottom two last year.
Saturday's win over Airdrie lifted them from bottom spot to ninth place and another three points in the second leg of the league double header could lift them up into sixth place, depending on the outcome of Falkirk's clash with Clyde.
Despite that incentive, Cooper is determined to remain fully focused on football rather than maths.
He said: "There has been no talk about league positions or anything like that among the players.
"We aren't going into games worrying that we are second bottom and won't go into this game thinking about where we can climb to.
"There are so few points between the teams in the First Division that anything can happen.
"Our form has been good lately - we've only lost one of the last six league games - so the spirit in the squad is good.
"I can't ask for any more than the players have delivered in the last four games. We've had good results against Falkirk, Ayr, Raith and Airdrie so, hopefully, we can continue that."
County are at full strength for tonight's visit from second-placed Airdrie, who can close the gap on leaders Partick to just four points if they win.
Goals from Hugh Robertson and Alex Bone handed the Dingwall side a deserved 2-0 victory at New Broomfield on Saturday.
Cooper would settle for a repeat performance but is not underestimating the task facing his team.
He added: "You never know what can happen in back-to-back fixtures. Airdrie will be out for a bit of revenge and to put a bit more pressure on Partick at the top of the table.
"The boys worked really hard for the result on Saturday. To go to Airdrie and win three points is excellent. It wasn't a fluke - it was down to effort."
Ross County manager Neale Cooper will sweat it out over the fitness of first-choice goalkeeper Tony Bullock for today's home First Division clash with Clyde.
Bullock faces a late fitness test after receiving an ankle knock this week.
Striker Steve Hislop looks certain to miss out with a similar injury as County try to extend their four-match unbeaten run.
However, heavy rain in Dingwall yesterday means there will be an 8am pitch inspection today.
Despite sitting second bottom of the First Division, County are just five points away from fifth spot and have three games in hand.
Cooper says he is delighted with the attitude being shown by his players, not just during games but in training as well.
He said: "The boys are doing very well. They are working hard and you can see it in training.
"Their attitude is fantastic and they are trying to be creative on the park.
"We have done well in the last four games and, hopefully, we won't have any more matches postponed because of bad weather."
The Dingwall boss says his stars can't wait for match days and that there is a real confidence throughout the squad.
He said: "The lads can't wait to get to training and they are excited about the games.
"We know it will be difficult against Clyde because they thrashed Falkirk 6-1 earlier in the week.
"Hopefully, they used up all their goals in that game and we can score a few ourselves."
One of the major factors in County's turnaround has been the return of inspirational midfielder Kenny Gilbert.
Cooper said: "Kenny has done very well since he came back from a long injury lay-off.
"He has a real will to win and his determination rubs off on the other players."
The teams were due to play on February 23 at Broadwood, but the match was postponed due to snow.
Cooper will add young striker Darren Jack to his squad. Darren is the son of former Dunfermline marksman Ross Jack.
Ross County are getting their reward on the field now that manager Neale Cooper has made Victoria Park a happier place to work.
The league table may show County in second bottom position in the First Division but a recent run of form has aided their fight against relegation.
A comprehensive win at Falkirk has been followed by victories over Raith and Airdrie. County had another valuable win at home to Clyde on Saturday and now face the same team again tonight at Broadwood Stadium.
Victory could move County into joint sixth place in a league where only 17 points separate second top Airdrie from bottom-placed Raith Rovers.
Cooper appears to have found the right formula and he believes his players will soon be focusing on the top of the table rather than looking over their shoulders.
"We really don't mention the league table at the club," said Cooper. "We have beaten Airdrie and Falkirk and now Clyde and we'll go there and expect another difficult game.
"The boys are working hard right now. I couldn't fault their attitude or spirit.
"We are not carrying any passengers and everyone is fighting for each other. It is a big help when it is a happy environment to go to work in.
"We now have people who will fight for this club and I am proud of them."
The heavy rain has made it difficult for the County squad to train during the week and the manager believes the players should receive credit for keeping themselves fit.
"It was nice just to get a game on again, although it was a difficult surface to play on. The players have been training on Astroturf for the past month and they had to adjust to playing on a heavy park."
Darren Jack, son of former Dunfermline striker Ross, could feature from the start after impressing. County have doubts over Steven Hislop (ankle) and Brian Irvine (knee).
Clyde manager Alan Kernaghan was in talks last night to sign a goalkeeper. This follows the loss of experienced Kevin Budinaikis, who moved to Partick Thistle last week.
Motherwell winger Steven Nicholas has been offered the chance to resurrect his career with Ross County.
The 22-year-old has been told by Well boss Eric Black his contract won't be renewed in the summer and will be allowed to leave Fir Park now if another club takes up his contract for the rest of the season.
County boss Neale Cooper yesterday confirmed he has spoken to Black about bringing the player to Victoria Park but says he wants to see the player in action first before making a decision.
Cooper said: "Steven Nicholas is a player I have asked about and I know him well from his days at Stirling Albion. I've spoken to Eric Black and have told him I would like to bring Steven to Dingwall for a couple of days to see how his general fitness and form is.
"Eric is going to speak to him to see if he fancies coming north and, if he does, then we'll take matters forward from there."
Nicholas is confident he can still make an impact in the SPL and is understood to be keen on moving to County on a short-term deal in an attempt to show what he can do.
He said: "Hopefully, I can get myself freed up before the deadline because I just want to get back playing football on a Saturday. That is what I missed most.
"My best spell was probably when John Philliben and Miodrag Krivokapic were in charge. I got a run in the team under them and scored a couple of goals in our first away win of the season at St Johnstone.
"Since then a new manager has come in and I really haven't featured because he signed his own man in Yan Soloy. But I still feel I am good enough to play in the SPL."
Former Stirling Albion player Nicholas became the youngest player to feature for Albion when he made his first-team debut at the age of 16 against Airdrie.
A prolific scorer for the club, Nicholas's form at Forthbank did not go unnoticed, with Motherwell beating off competition from Middlesbrough to sign the winger for £100,000 in March, 1999.
Ross County will be without on-loan defender David Lilley for the rest of the season.
The Aberdeen player damaged ankle ligaments in the 0-0 draw at Clyde on Tuesday night and will be out for up to five weeks.
Boss Neale Cooper has had to recall defenders Martin Canning from Peterhead and Steven Mackay from Elgin City as cover.
It is a massive blow to County as they try to extend their six-match unbeaten First Division run at home to St Mirren today.
Both sides are not out of trouble yet and Cooper expects a tight match.
He said: "It's a big blow to lose David (Lilley) for that long, so we've had to recall a couple of players who were out on loan.
"Martin has been doing very well at Peterhead and I'm sure he'll continue that form when he comes back.
"It's a shame for Peterhead, but we had no choice. I have spoken to Ian Wilson and he understands the situation.
"We were delighted to have taken a point at Clyde and, hopefully, we can do even better against St Mirren tomorrow.
"We know they are fighting for their lives and it won't be an easy game.
"But the lads have been doing very well and, hopefully, we can continue our decent form."
Ross County's recent results have hauled them off the foot of the table into the relative safety of third bottom with two games in hand over a number of sides.
Ross County midfielder Kenny Gilbert can't wait for the third Highland derby of the season to get under way in Dingwall tonight because it will be his first in nearly two years.
Gilbert has only recently returned to the side after missing 18 months of football due to a serious eye injury.
The gritty midfield player has been at the heart of County's surge back up the First Division table and he says the derby matches are right up his street.
"I love these games but I haven't played in one since the first between the sides last season.
"It's awful watching from the stand because these are my type of matches.
"The last time I played we won 1-0 at Caley, so I hope it's the same scoreline tomorrow on my return to derby action.
"We are in form just now but the formbook goes out of the window in these games. We just hope we can continue our run."
Gilbert will relish the chance to pit his wits against Caley's midfield maestro Charlie Christie once again.
He said: "I've heard he's a doubt but Charlie loves these games and I think he'll play. I just can't wait to battle it out with him again."
Neale Cooper's men are unbeaten in seven games and, with both County and Caley locked together in mid table on the 38-point mark, tonight's game takes on even more significance.
Conor Gethins is the only absentee for County. The youngster is in Holland with the Republic of Ireland under-19 squad.
Honours are even so far this season between the sides. County won the first battle in Dingwall 2-1 and Thistle went one better at Caley Stadium with a 3-1 victory.
Inverness Caley Thistle boss Steve Paterson does not have his troubles to seek on the injury front.
Stuart McCaffrey, Charlie Christie, Stuart Golabek and Bobby Mann are all doubtful.
Captain Mann is the most likely to feature but he will have to play with a broken nose.
Paterson admits his rivals are in championship-winning form but he expects his players to do the business.
He said: "It's always the same. We have a great run of freedom from injury and then when we need our players we have a batch of injuries.
"That's football, however, and I expect the team I field to give the club 100%.
"It's a chance for some of the guys who wouldn't normally get a chance in a derby game to show me what they can do."
Paterson is so short of players he may be forced to recall on-loan youngsters Brian Gilfillan and Tony Lowe from Brora Rangers.
His assistant Duncan Shearer, 39, has been training hard and will be on the bench once again.
The Caley boss said: "I was surprised to read that our away form is the worst in the division but our home form is second best. We are desperate to change that at County tomorrow night."
The second chapter of this week's Highland derby takes place at Caledonian Stadium today as local rivals Caley Thistle and Ross County battle for supremacy in the First Division.
In their short time together in the Scottish Football League, the Inverness club has kept one step ahead by continually finishing above County.
The two teams are tied on 39 points going into today's game but Caley Jags boss Steve Paterson is looking for his side to re-establish its advantage.
He said: "There was no quarter given by either side in Tuesday's 0-0 draw at Victoria Park and the teams are evenly matched this season. Both sets of players are full of commitment and either side could win it.
"But we have a very good home record in the First Division and we are confident of winning the game on our own patch. We were worthy winners the last time County came here and I'm looking for a repeat performance tomorrow."
The Caley Jags boss believes his side has a good chance of extending its good record over its rivals. He said: "We lost 2-1 at Victoria Park in September, which was our first defeat there for five years, and our record at Caledonian Stadium against County is also very good.
"The two clubs know each other well and the first goal could prove crucial. It is a hard one to call, but we believe we home advantage can work in our favour."
David Bagan returns to the squad after injury but ex-County defender Stuart Golabek misses out due to an ankle problem.
County boss Neale Cooper, who has a doubt over Cedric Anselin, has been boosted by the return of Irish striker Conor Gethins from international duty with the Republic of Ireland under-19s.
Cooper is looking for his side to improve its poor record at Caledonian Stadium.
He said: "We have gone eight games unbeaten now and are looking to extend that run at Inverness. Our philosophy has been to go for an all-out attacking policy and our aim has been to score one more than our opponents in every game.
"It is to the players' credit that we have moved up the table. We gave away a soft goal against St Mirren last week and earlier in the season we would have let our heads go down if that happened.
"But the goal fired the boys up even more and they deserved their comprehensive victory. That has been the biggest change for us in recent weeks."
Cooper admits his hopes of getting a result today have been lifted by Caley Thistle's recent goal drought. He said: "Our record there isn't the greatest and I think we've only won once in Inverness. But Caley Thistle haven't scored for four games now and I hope that record will be extended to five after the game.
"Both sets of players will be boosted by the large support and I don't think there will be a lack of commitment by either team on the day. I really believe tomorrow's game promises to be a cracker."
Ross County manager Neale Cooper has laid down the gauntlet to strike trio Alex Bone, Mark McCormick and Karim Boukraa - and urged them to make Steve Hislop's loss their gain.
With Hislop suspended following his red card in Saturday's Highland derby with Caley Jags, the three forwards are vying for the chance to come in from the cold and stake a claim for a permanent place in the resurgent County team.
McCormick featured as a substitute in the 1-1 draw in Inverness, but Bone and Boukraa are also in contention for the vacant striking berth for tonight's First Division match with Airdrie at Dingwall (7.30).
Cooper will wait until later today to make his decision. He said: "Steven is a big loss for us because he has been playing well, but it does mean we will have to freshen things up.
"We will have a final look at who we bring in to replace him, but we have options and it's a chance for us to rotate the team."
Cooper does not expect the enforced change to alter his side's strong form. Victory over Airdrie tonight will see County leap-frog fourth-placed Caley Thistle and could also see them climb to third place if Ayr United fail to take maximum points against Arbroath.
Cooper remains more concerned with performances than league standings - despite the possibilities opening up for his team.
He said: "I can only ask them to keep going the way they have been. We are looking forward to each and every game at the moment. There's a great togetherness in the squad just now. Even with 10 men at the Caledonian Stadium, we stood firm and that's so important to us at this stage of the season."
"Airdrie are a difficult team to beat, they are up at the top end of the table on merit, but we are full of confidence."
County will also have to do without French midfielder Cedric Anselin as he continues to struggle with a foot injury. Airdrie have worries of a different kind as they prepare for the trip north as doubts over the club's future continue to build.
A fans' group has donated £800 to pay for the team's coach tonight and to Inverness on Saturday.
Diamonds boss Ian McCall said: "Paying for the team bus is a great gesture and one that allows them to see exactly where their cash is going."
McCall may be struggling to fill the coach with a squad of fit players. The Diamonds, who had just three players on the bench at Brockville on Saturday, have further worries following the Falkirk clash, with Kevin James and Paul Armstrong both rated doubtful.
With Allan Ferguson, Neil MacFarlane, Allan McManus and Paul Ronald all definitely out, McCall may have just one fit player on the bench.
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