Billy Reid has tipped Dougie Imrie to prove a “sensational” signing.

The Hamilton Accies manager said this having watched the striker turn in a man-of-the-match performance in the recent defeat at Motherwell.

Despite the 1-0 loss, Reid says the player has shown why the New Douglas Park side were keen to sign him.

Reid said: “I thought he was brilliant, especially in the second half.

“He’s got a bit to go in terms of fitness, but you can see why I’ve been after him for quite some time. I think he’ll be a sensation for us.”

Reid bemoaned the absence of four key players from Saturday’s defeat.Top scorer Mickael Antoine-Curier is out for up to six weeks after knee surgery,

captain Alex Neil and midfielder James Wesolowski have hamstring injuries and defender Mark McLaughlin suspended.

However, while McLaughlin is again banned, Reid said there is a chance Neil and Wesolowski could make the trip to face Dundee United tomorrow.

Elsewhere, Liam Kelly is two games away from extending his stay at Kilmarnock for another season.

The midfielder, who scored two goals in the Scottish Cup win over Inverness, agreed an 18-month contract in January, but the final year would only kick in once he had played a set number of games.

Kelly is closing in on a year’s extension.

Killie manager Jimmy Calderwood said: “Liam’s been great since coming in.

“He’s got great energy and vision, he gets in and makes tackles and the goals have been extra.”