Hamilton Accies will boost their squad before the new season starts.

Aug 5 2010 by Andrew McGilvray, Hamilton Advertiser

HAMILTON Accies are on the verge of significantly strengthening their squad in time for the SPL kick-off against Aberdeen on August 14.

Boss Billy Reid swooped on Wednesday morning to bring in midfielder Gary McDonald (28) following his release from Aberdeen.

And Reid confirmed that he’s close to re-signing French striker Joel Thomas, who is in the process of securing his release from League One club Colchester United.

The 23-year-old – who returned to Accies on loan last season and scored three times – is likely to be snapped up on a one-year deal and Reid hopes to tie that up in the next few days.

Reid indicated that he’s not quite finished in the transfer market, however, and revealed that he hopes to snap up an as-yet unidentified striker and perhaps one other player.

On signing McDonald on a season-long deal, Reid said: “Gary is the first proper attacking midfielder I’ve brought to the club since Stuart Taylor, and we all know what he did for me in the First Division before his ankle injury.

“Gary is a similar type of player, he’s got good experience, has played in the Premier League, and although he didn’t have his best season at Aberdeen last term I think there is plenty of scope for him to improve.

“Gary is the right type but he’s behind the other lads in terms of fitness and sharpness so we need to be careful about what we do with him in the first few weeks of the season.

“I think he’s got a bit to prove and things weren’t quite right with him last season, but he’s back on the right track and this gives him a chance to show it.

“We need to get him up to speed in terms of games preparation and we’ll do that in the coming weeks.”

Reid added: “We’re on the verge of signing Joel Thomas and we’re hoping to also bring in another striker.

“Joel hasn’t quite signed yet but he is in training with us and he’s almost completely released from Colchester United.

“I think he had a good finish to the season. He’s still developing as a player but I think he’s won over the fans because they see exactly what he can do.

“With a bit of support and backing from the fans, the backroom team and the players, Joel Thomas at times can bring out things that a lot of other players can’t.

“We have to build up his confidence again because it’s been dented by the whole thing at Colchester.

“We went down to Sunderland on Monday (Accies winning 3-2 courtesy of a Flavio Paixao hat-trick), Joel came on for the last 25 minutes and he was absolutely excellent.

“He’ll be given a year’s deal to show what he can do or put himself in the shop window – it’s up to him on the park.”

Reid continued: “We’re closer to where we need to be but if somebody pops up that catches the eye then I might be able to persuade the chairman to let us go and get him.”