Inverness manager John Hughes will step up attempts to re-sign players after extending his own contract by two years.

The former Falkirk, Hibernian, Livingston and Hartlepool boss has signed a contract until May 2018, almost two years to the day since he took charge.

Hughes has led Caley Thistle to fourth and third in the Scottish Premiership as well as their first major trophy, last season's William Hill Scottish Cup.

The 51-year-old, whose assistant Brian Rice has also signed a new contract, has kept the Highlanders away from the foot of the table this season despite having a full team of players on the treatment table at times.

"I'm extremely pleased that negotiations have been satisfactorily concluded and that my future lies with Caley Thistle," Hughes said in a statement.

"It's the outcome I really wanted as I've really enjoyed myself at the club and in the Highlands.

"The supporters have been excellent and there's a tremendous spirit in the dressing room which I have worked hard to maintain and strengthen.

"It's a pleasure to work with such a wholehearted, committed bunch of lads.

"Brian Rice has done a first-class job since coming in three months ago and I'm delighted that he'll be at my side over the next couple of seasons.

"Now that our business is done, my focus will be on re-signing, in the coming weeks, players who are out of contract this summer.

"This is vital if we are to prosper going forward and I'm very hopeful we can make progress on this front."

Inverness had rebuffed an approach for Hughes from Dundee United last month and stepped up contract talks with their manager.

Caley Thistle chairman Kenny Cameron added: "It's extremely pleasing that, having offered John the job two years ago and seen his selection fully vindicated, we've now persuaded him to put pen to paper through to the summer of 2018.

"We're happy to thus ensure that our management team are in place for the longer term.

"Continuity is vital for a club of our stature and we'll be working closely with John to come to contract agreements with players who are willing to commit to continuing this club's journey.

"This season has seen the club's worst ever injury crisis but players are now returning to fitness and available for selection so we go into the new year in a much healthier situation and looking to regain momentum."