Dundee United manager Ray McKinnon is expecting the size and strength of the Inverness players to really test his team.
The Tangerines head up the A9 to face Caley Thistle tomorrow in the third of the Betfred Cup Group C matches.
They do so on the back of a morale-boosting 6-1 demolition of Cowdenbeath on Tuesday night that put them top of the group with five points.
However, McKinnon believes they will face a major challenge in the Highlands because of the sheer power of their Premiership opponents.
The United boss, who watched them play against Cowden last weekend, said: “They are big – massive – and a real threat at set-pieces.
“We will have to look out for long throws and every corner that comes in.
“Against Cowdenbeath, they won every header and put the opposition under pressure.
“So their size will be a major test for our players.
“There are a Premiership team and there a lot of good players up there.
“So we just have to keep doing the right things, playing and passing the ball in the right manner.
“If we do that it will stand us in good stead this year.”
If things pan out as Mckinnon expects they might, then the United central defence will be severely tested.
He has changed things around in that department over the last two cup games, with Coll Donaldson and Harry Souttar facing Arbroath, while Mark Durnan and Sean Dillon played against Cowden.
It looks like he will alter things again, with McKinnon stating: “That’s an area of the park that I am still trying to figure out.
“I have to see which partnership is going to give us the most solid performances.
“I haven’t had a lot of opportunities to see these guys in competitive games so I will probably mix it up just to get it right.”
The United gaffer has one injury doubt for the ICT clash.
He said: “Scott Fraser is carrying a wee knock and is a doubt but, apart from that, everybody else came through OK.
“Scott had a good game the other night and I think he is better suited to playing higher up the park than as a holding midfield player.
“I like him up there because it gives him freedom to play.”
Meanwhile, McKinnon confirmed that he wants to bring at least one more player in.
He added: “I still hope to do a bit of wheeling and dealing if I can.
“If I can get somebody out then I might be able to bring someone in.”
