REID DELIGHT AS INJURED THREE RETURN

Feb 1 2007 By Andy McGilvray

MIDFIELDER Jamie McClen looks like being the only new face at Hamilton Accies as the transfer window slammed shut at midnight last night (Wednesday).

But boss Billy Reid reckons his squad will be significantly boosted by the return to fitness of Derek Fleming, Scott Tunbridge and Tom Parratt and all three may feature when Queen of the South visit New Douglas Park on Saturday, February 10.

McClen (27), was snapped up on Monday from Kidderminster Harriers, on a deal until the end of this season.

Reid said: “We’ve taken a chance on Jamie after he was in training with us.

“He’s a quality player, and we will give him an opportunity to put himself in the shop window or earn a deal here.

“We’ll make sure he’s fit for the Queen of the South game, but whether or not he plays remains to be seen.”

Also putting pen to paper on Monday was striker David Winters (24), who extended his deal to the end of this season.

Reid commented: “David Winters earned the right to a contract extension and we’re delighted that he has signed.

“I wanted David to contribute more in terms of scoring, that’s him got three this season and two of them were in the last five or six games.”

But it’s the return to fitness of top stars Fleming, Parratt and Tunbridge that is pleasing the manager.

He said: “I’m just hoping now that these guys can stay fit. Fleming is coming back in after about 12 weeks out, Parratt has been missing for six weeks, and Tunbridge has played only around five games this season.

“It will be like getting three new players when these guys are back.

“We’ve got Mark McLaughlin nearing a comeback as well, but we won’t rush him back.

“But once these players return, the competition for places will be there again and you will see a stronger Hamilton Accies.”

Reid confirmed that a contract offer was made to Clyde midfielder Eddie Malone, but was withdrawn before Saturday and the player signed for SPL side St Mirren.

Leaving New Douglas Park are defender Kevin Sharp (32), and strikers Lewis Coult (18), and Shaun Forster (18).

Reid said Sharp’s release is partly to give talented youngster James Gibson a better chance of first-team football.

Meanwhile, Hamilton face a potential goalkeeping crisis, with reserve Michael White injured in a game at Montrose on Sunday.

Fears that White (17), had broken his leg were dismissed, but he might still need a knee operation.

The club is working hard on first-choice Dave McEwan’s fitness in a race to have him available for at least a squad place against Queens.

Meanwhile, Reid was delighted at the determination his stars showed in their 2-1 win at Livingston on Saturday, which put them third in the First Division.

He said: “It didn’t look like being our day until the last five minutes, but myself and Graeme Jones, my assistant, tried to drive them on.

“We threw our three substitutes on early doors, two of them were strikers in David Winters and Brian Wake.

“I thought Livingston were solid at the back until the last five minutes, and then all hell let loose.

“All credit is due to our players, because you’ve got to play until the final whistle, and we scored in 89 and 91 minutes.

“There have been times this season when we’ve played really well — especially in the last eight or nine weeks — and got nothing.

“Sometimes winning ugly is really important. You can’t play well all of the time, and to go to Almondvale and take six points out of six is satisfying for me.

“We put the ball in the back of the net twice, that’s the aim of the game, and we took the three points.

“I have to say a word to our goalkeeper Raymond Jellema for he was the reason why we won the game on Saturday.

“In the second half, when we were under the cosh, he pulled off two or three fantastic saves.

“Raymond is a young goalkeeper, he’s number two to Davie McEwan, but it’s credit to him because he’s played most of the first-team games this season and played well.

“Considering what we’ve been through, it’s quite remarkable that we’re third, but things can change very easily in this league, so we’re not taking anything for granted.”

With Accies not involved in Scottish Cup duty on Saturday they have a ‘free’ weekend, which Reid feels is both good and bad for the club.

He said: “The break comes at the wrong time because it stops the momentum we’ve had from back-to-back wins, but I’m glad that we had a win going into it, and it will help with players’ fitness.”