Hamilton FC vs Partick Thistle preview - Accies return for McLaughlin

Posted Saturday, May 05, 2012 by PA

Hamilton have defender Mark McLaughlin available after suspension and he will return against Partick.

Fellow centre-back Martin Canning is also free of a ban, but he has picked up a knock and will join Alex Neil, John Stewart and Ali Crawford on the sidelines.

New Douglas Park boss Billy Reid said: "After struggling to win games at home we have won the last four and I want us to close out the season by making it five.

"We will have a young side out again but hopefully they will show that they have learned from last week against Ross County where every mistake we made was punished.

"Thistle are in good form but I want a positive performance and a win before we break up."

Partick are looking for the win that would see them end the season sitting higher in the table than their New Douglas Park hosts, but they will be without midfielder Paul Cairney, who is suspended.

Aaron Sinclair and Christie Elliot both miss out through knocks and manager Jackie McNamara will finalise his side after the results of fitness tests on Chris Erskine and Kris Doolan are known.

Paul Paton returns from a ban, and McNamara is looking for a positive end to his first full season as a manager.

He said: "We played really well against Falkirk last week but could not get the second goal that would have killed them off. Win this game and we could potentially move into third place which would be a nice way to finish."