HAMILTON ACCIES are set to announce Martin Canning as their new manager at a press conference this afternoon.

The 33-year-old was placed in interim charge of first team affairs following the departure of Alex Neil to Norwich City earlier this month and has been assisted by Neil's right hand man Frankie McAvoy.

McAvoy will leave the club to move to Carrow Road following next weekend's Premiership clash with Dundee as Accies begin a new era with Canning at the helm.

Hamilton received more than 70 applications for the top job at New Douglas Park but it is Canning who has won the race to be named as Neil's successor.

World Cup winner Rino Gattuso and former Celtic striker John Hartson were two of the names linked with the position but the club have stuck by their principles of promoting from within, as they did with Neil when he replaced Billy Reid as boss two years ago.

The Accies skipper will be assisted by Frenchman Guillaume Beuzelin, who will quit his position as No.2 to Ian Murray at Dumbarton to take up a place with the Premiership club.

Canning has been in charge for three matches since taking over as gaffer but has yet to taste victory in the dugout.

After losing home matches to Dundee United and Celtic, the defender watched on from the stands as his side were thrashed 5-0 by Partick Thistle on Wednesday night.

Canning has received the backing of Neil, McAvoy and New Douglas Park squad and will be unveiled this afternoon ahead of the visit of Inverness Caley Thistle tomorrow.