Hamilton FC vs Raith Rovers preview - Double boost for Accies

Posted Saturday, September 17, 2011 by PA

Hamilton have central defenders Mark McLaughlin and Simon Mensing available again for the visit of Raith.

Suspension kept the pair out of the 1-0 defeat at Queen of the South that knocked the Accies off top spot last weekend.

Winger Willie McLaren is unlikely to feature due to illness and midfielder Alex Neil remains out.

Manager Billy Reid is looking for his side to bounce back from the defeat last weekend, he said: "We were really disappointing at Palmerston and I am looking for much better in this game.

"Raith are coming here looking to make up for a defeat as well so we have to be much quicker in everything we do if we are to take anything."

Raith remain without captain Iain Davidson, who is still struggling with a medial ligament injury.

He will stay on the sidelines along with midfielder Ross Callachan, who is set to complete a two-match ban.

Manager John McGlynn, who is predicting a close contest, will bring in a trialist goalkeeper to replace Ross Laidlaw on the bench after he suffered a knock in training.

"We have been hit by a couple of late sucker punches recently and whilst that can be the nature of football sometimes, it is something we have to guard against," said McGlynn. "This will be another tight game in a season where every minute in every game is tight."