HAMILTON manager Martin Canning is looking to forge team spirit as he prepares to take his squad – including six brand new faces – on a pre-season trip to Malta.

The Accies fly out tomorrow for a week of training and matches, taking on local sides Floriana on Saturday and Sliema Wanderers next Tuesday.

Canning sees the trip as the ideal opportunity to integrate the new arrivals at New Douglas Park into his tight-knit squad.

"We have a couple of games over there plus we will have a tough training week,” Canning said.

"Equally important is the bonding issues - we need to get the new players bonding with the existing players as soon as possible.

"We want to create that unity which we have had in the last couple of seasons. It is about getting that back as quickly as possible with the new faces.

"That is why it is important for me that the players have some character about them.

"They need to work hard which will fit in with what we are trying to achieve this season.

"I was conscious about getting things done as early as possible so it has been a busy summer trying to get everything organised.

"When we came back, I wanted to get them identified as quickly as possible.

"It has been out of necessity rather than for the sake of it as we had lost players and didn't get the opportunity to replace them.

"There was always going to be players coming in and some going in the summer.”

Hamilton’s new recruits showed up well in a friendly at The Falkirk Stadium on Tuesday night, with new striker Christian Nade getting on the score-sheet in a 3-2 win against the Bairns.

Some eyebrows were raised when Hamilton decided to offer Nade a chance of a return to the Scottish top-flight, but Canning revealed that the former Hearts striker has been working hard to get himself in the best possible shape for the new season.

He said: "He is someone who came in towards the end of last season and did well.

"I thought I'd take a look at him in pre-season and no-one has worked harder than him.

"He has worked his socks off, he is in terrific shape and he can score goals.

"For us, it was a great opportunity to get him in plus he has got a bit of fire in his belly.

"That is the most important thing. His age doesn't concern me as long as they have that desire and Christian has most definitely got that.

"The first question he gets asked is about his weight but there is not an ounce of fat on the guy.

"He is all muscle - if you take his top off, you wouldn't be able to pinch the fat off him.

"He wants to make the most of this opportunity and he wants to make it. He needs to maintain the hunger he has been showing. I am sure he can do well.

"Every manager wants hungry players and determined to prove something. That is what you want.”

Meanwhile, Hamilton have announced that youth players Rico Quitongo, son of Accies legend Jose, Marc Kelly, Alex Marshall and Conor Scullion have been awarded professional contracts with the club.

Accies also announced last night the signing of Salvador Pérez Martínez.

The 25-year-old Spanish striker, who scored 14 goals in 36 league games for Llieda Esportiu last season, has signed on a two-year deal and joins the squad on their trip to Malta.