Dundee vs Hamilton FC preview - Smith playing the waiting game

Posted Saturday, September 24, 2011 by PA

Dundee boss Barry Smith will give strikers Graham Bayne and Jake Hyde until close to kick-off time to prove their fitness for their contest against Hamilton Accies.

The duo were not fit enough to train earlier in the week, however, Smith has seen progress as the week went on and they may yet start.

Fellow front man Leighton MacIntosh is away on Scotland Under-19 international duty and misses out.

Smith said: "It will be a late call and I am hoping that both Graham and Jake make it as we are a bit short of options.

"Hamilton will be tough opponents as they still have the backbone of an SPL side, however this would be a great game to get our first home win of the season in."

Hamilton travel to Dens Park looking for their first win in five league games, with midfielder David Hopkirk dropping out of manager Billy Reid's squad after leaving the club by mutual consent in midweek.

The experienced Alex Neil remains out with a hip problem and winger Willie McLaren is unlikely to feature after missing training due to illness.

Reid said: "We are not doing as well as we can and that is disappointing. We need to start putting together a run of victories to really establish ourselves at the top end of this division, and Dens Park would be a great place to start doing that.

"Dundee will see this as a great opportunity to see off the side just down from the SPL so we need to play well."M