Warren suffers leg break for Caley

The centre-back hobbled off late in the first half following a strong challenge by Stephen Pearson, who was booked and also injured, failing to come back out for the second half before appearing on the sidelines on crutches.

Inverness wrote on their Twitter account: "We can confirm that, unfortunately, Gary Warren's injury from yesterday is a break. We'll update on the prognosis when we know more."

Inverness manager John Hughes also lost Josh Meekings to an injury but he maintains he will not be able to add defensive cover to his squad.

The only defensive cover Inverness have brought in this summer is Nat Wedderburn, who can play at the back or in midfield, but he was sacrificed in the first half for debutant Andrea Mbuyi-Mutombo.

Wes Fletcher's fourth-minute goal ensured the points would be returning to Fir Park but it was the injuries, particularly to Warren, that put a further black mark on the game.

Jordan Roberts, Carl Tremarco and James Vincent were already ruled out, while Aaron Doran and Richie Foran were not present in the match-day squad.

But recruiting to cover the gaps is not an option, insists Hughes.

"We haven't got the budget. We've got players that are adaptable and can play in a number of positions, with one or two that we need to get up to speed," he said.

"There isn't the money to bring anyone else in so we're just hoping to get one or two back."

Motherwell counterpart Ian Baraclough believes his decision to play new goalkeeper Connor Ripley against the Caley Jags was vindicated, following a debut clean sheet. Although he never had a shot to save, he dealt well with high balls into the box.

The 22-year-old signed a six-month loan deal at Fir Park on Friday and was pitched into action in Inverness just 24 hours later, ahead of Dan Twardzik.

Baraclough concedes he had a tough choice, but one that ultimately paid off.

"When called upon, Connor dealt with everything with no fuss," he said. "He's a big presence, a confident boy and came in within 24 hours and not really knowing the lads.

"His performance probably vindicates picking him over Dan Twardzik."

There was also praise for Fletcher after he followed up Pearson's saved shot to score from close range. Motherwell could have had more, notably when Scott McDonald saw a penalty saved by Owain Fon Williams.

"If you watched Wes in pre-season, a lot of his goals are the same," Baraclough said. "He follows in on the keeper and always seems to find an extra yard in the box."