Play it again Sam!

Play it again Sam -- as Butcher swoops for Wolves starlet

Sam Winnall, a young striker with Premiership club Wolverhampton Wanderers, has signed for Caley Thistle on loan for the rest of the season.

Winnall, 21 earlier this month, drove north yesterday to sign after a glowing recommendation to come to Inverness from David Davis, the Wolves midfielder who was on loan at Caley Jags in the first half of the season but has now returned to England.

Manager Terry Butcher says:"Sam's got terrific ability and is a proven finisher and we're delighted that he's agreed to join us. He gives us another option going forward and he can also play midfield. He trained with his new team mates today and will be in the squad for Saturday's home game with St Mirren at Inverness.

"Wolves boss Mick McCarthy told me he was extremely pleased with the benefits David Davis gained from his spell with us. He felt David had gone away a boy and returned a man, as regular SPL action had developed him physically and improved his match awareness.

Winnall, who comes from Wolverhampton, was first spotted by Molineux scout Bob Bennett when he was only five years old and he has come through the club's Academy network, rising from the youth side to the reserves and accepting a full professional contract in 2009.

Sam's goals in pre-season games saw him gain his competitive debut for Wolves in their Carling Cup tie with Southend United in August, 2010. He caught the eye, winning the penalty for Wolves' opener and coming very close with a great volley. In the second half of last season, Winnall went on loan to Burton Albion and rattled in seven goals from 12 starts.

In August 2011 he had a month's loan at Hereford Town, scoring twice in five appearances, three of them as substitute. Sam is under contract to Wolves until the summer of 2013.