Hamilton FC vs Raith Rovers preview - Hamilton boss hoping to feature

Posted Friday, October 18, 2013 by PA

Hamilton player/manager Alex Neil and striker James Keatings will have to shake off knocks to take the field against Raith Rovers at New Douglas Park.

Stephen Hendrie is available after Scotland Under-19 duty, however James Routledge remains out with a knee problem with Neil predicting that his league leaders will be tested strongly by the Kirkcaldy side.

Neil said: "Raith play a very effective system and I watched them use it to great effect to defeat Annan in the Ramsdens Cup semi-final last weekend.

"We have to be at our best to repeat the win we had at their place at the start of the season."

Raith Rovers will be without defender Paul Watson at Hamilton due to the knee injury he picked up in the Kirkcaldy side's 3-0 Ramsdens success over Annan last Sunday.

Reece Donaldson misses out due to a suspension with Stark's Park player/manager Grant Murray advising that no motivation is needed by his men.

Murray said: "This should be a cracking game where we have the chance to pull ourselves closer to the team at the top so no extra-long team talk will be required.

"They were the best team in the first quarter so it will be a tough ask to win but we are determined to do it."