John Hughes has confirmed Inverness CT have made an approach to take Anthony Stokes on loan from Celtic for the rest of the season.

The Republic of Ireland forward is out of favour at the Scottish champions, having not featured since August.

Stokes was recently suspended after tweeting his displeasure at being left out of Celtic's squad for a league clash against Hughes' men after travelling to the Highlands at the end of November.

Speaking to STV, Inverness boss Hughes admitted he hopes to bring the player, who he worked with at both Falkirk and Hibernian, north during this transfer window.

Stokes has made just two first-team appearances this term, coming off the bench against Stjarnan before starting against Dundee United in August.

Last month, Celtic boss Ronny Deila had called on the player to make changes in order to salvage his career with the league leaders.

With Miles Storey extending his loan deal with Inverness until the end of the season, Hughes revealed Spanish striker Dani Lopez is likely to return to his homeland this month.

Miles Storey is not thinking too far ahead after extending his loan spell at Inverness CT.

The Swindon Town forward has made an impression in the Highlands under John Hughes, scoring eight goals in 18 appearances.

Now he has extended his initial four-month loan spell until the end of the season.

"I was really keen to get it done, because this is the first time in my career that I have played near enough half a season consecutively," he explained.

"It was important for my career, I need to keep being part of a team and making a major impact on a team, which I haven't done before.

"You have a drive around [Inverness], it's a lovely place. It's quiet but that's part of the appeal for me.

"I enjoy living up here, I enjoy being with the lads. It's a tighknit squad, which is another reason I wanted to stay here."

However, Storey is only concentrating on the spell between now and the end of the campaign - remaining coy on whether he would be open to a permanent move to Inverness.

"I've got to have a good second half of the season first," he said.

"I've only really had a start in the first four months I've been here.

"It's hard to talk about the contract situation right now, so I'll just leave that until the summer."