St Mirren 0 - 2 Hamilton Academical

Buddies wait on sick pair

Updated: October 30, 2009, 4:47 PM UK

St Mirren are hoping Michael Higdon and Steven Thomson shake off the effects of a virus in time for Saturday's Clydesdale Bank Premier League game against Hamilton.

Striker Higdon climbed off his sick bed to score in Tuesday night's Co-operative Insurance Cup quarter-final win against Motherwell but is a doubt, while midfielder Thomson sat out the midweek tie.

Saints remain without Craig Dargo (shoulder), Mo Camara (knee), Chris Smith (knee) and Steven Robb (groin), while Tom Brighton (knee) could miss the rest of the season.

Ahead of the clash John Potter has warned his St Mirren team-mates this season could still be a nailbiting as the last.

Sixth-placed Saints are sitting pretty in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League ahead of their meeting with Hamilton and have a Co-operative Insurance Cup semi-final to look forward to in February.

It looks a far cry from last term, when Gus MacPherson's men avoided relegation by just two goals.

But with a run of four games against teams currently above them just around the corner, club captain Potter knows the confidence currently running through the squad could very quickly be eroded.

"We knew that last year was going to be a difficult year but it could be the same this year,'' the defender told Press Association Sport.

"We've not even played a quarter of the games yet, so you don't know where you're going to end up.

"It's just important you keep form. I think after another two games we'll have played everybody once so you can sit back then and look where you are in the league.

"But it's important you just keep picking up points, especially here at home.''

Looking ahead to matches with Rangers, Hibernian, Celtic and Dundee United, Potter added: "We know we have a difficult run but they're all difficult games in this league.''

Hamilton midfielder Gary Mason should return from a knock for the trip.

Long-term casualties Derek Lyle and James Gibson both remain on the sidelines with knee problems, while young striker Gary Gow has broken an elbow.

Skipper Alex Neil may be on the bench again as he continues to build up fitness following summer hip surgery but he is not ready to start.

Neil is itching to make his first appearance of the season so he can stamp his authority on the team.

The midfielder was an unused substitute against Celtic on Sunday and may be on the bench against St Mirren as he continues his comeback from summer hip surgery.

Accies have won just one Clydesdale Bank Premier League match without their skipper and he admits he has found it difficult guiding young and new players from the sidelines.

The former Barnsley midfielder said: "Obviously I try to speak to people as much as I can but it's really different doing it from the side when you're not involved.

"As long as you're doing what you ask them to do, it's not so bad. When you're standing at the side not doing anything and telling them to `do this and do that', it's different.

"I think that's certainly one of the strongest aspects of my game, even if I'm not playing so well, being able to affect other guys in my team and making sure they don't let their standards slip.''

Neil was due to play in a bounce game against Rangers on Wednesday but his stiff hip forced a rethink. That may limit his chances of facing an in-form St Mirren.

"I won't be ready to start the game,'' the 28-year-old said.

"It's a strange injury with your hip. One day I wake up and it's perfectly fine and the next day I wake up and it's a bit achy.

"I haven't played any games yet. I was going to play on Wednesday but I woke up not feeling the best. It's frustrating but I'm getting closer and closer.''