Hamilton vs Morton preview - Page banned for Accies

Posted Tuesday, March 05, 2013 by PA

Hamilton defender Jonathan Page is suspended for the visit of leaders Morton after picking up a two-game ban for his dismissal in the Scottish Cup defeat against Falkirk on Saturday.

Skipper Alex Neil looks set to miss out due to a recurrence of a calf injury and Jon McShane is out with a knee injury, while Andy Ryan needs a late check on an ankle problem.

Accies are looking for a second win in a row over their Greenock rivals, with manager Billy Reid saying: "We won at Cappielow with a really gritty performance.

"We need to lift ourselves from Saturday's disappointment and look to do the same again. If we play as well as we did at the weekend I will be pleased."

Table-topping Morton hope to have former Hamilton favourite Mark McLaughlin back in their ranks after illness as they look to re-establish a five-point advantage over Partick.

Steven Stirling misses out against the only First Division side the Greenock men have yet to get the better of this season as he is not ready to return following his leg-break last autumn.

Manager Allan Moore said: "Partick have closed in after winning at Dunfermline and we have to show that we can handle that.

"Hamilton are strong defensively and have a great striker in Stevie May so we need to play well to get the three points. If we win this game everything remains in our hands and that is a good position to be in."