Hamilton boss Billy Reid still hopes to make two further signings before Saturday’s SPL opener at Aberdeen.

The Accies gaffer is keen to add strike power and midfield cover to help beef up his squad ahead of their bid to break into the top six in the new season.

Reid has seen targetman Mickael-Antoine Curier return to Dundee after his successful loan spell at New Douglas last season.

And midfielders James Wesolowski and James McArthur have joined up at Peterborough and Wigan respectively.

The Accies boss said: “We have a couple of options which we are pursuing, but it is no secret that we need cover up front and in midfield after the departures we have sustained during the summer.

“I am hopeful that we will be able to do something before we go up to Pittodrie on Saturday and we will keep working towards that end.”

Reid has a further problem to contend with ahead of the Dons game after learning that central defender Mark McLaughlin is rated very doubtful to recover in time from an ankle injury suffered in pre-season.

The Accies coach has also admitted that new signing Gary McDonald will need time to reach optimum fitness levels.

Reid said: “We are delighted to have signed a proven SPL performer like Gary, but he is a couple of weeks behind the rest of the lads in terms of fitness.

“However, although I would like to make the additions we need before the opener, we are not going to go there scared.

“We enjoyed two excellent wins at Pittodrie last season and although we know that Aberdeen have strengthened, we will be confident.”