Hamilton Accies v Alloa Athletic: Reid challenges Antoine-Curier to prove his fitness for Accies deal

Published on Friday 7 January 2011 18:17

Scottish Cup fourth round At New Douglas Park, today, kick-off 3pm

Hamilton manager Billy Reid is still hoping to re-sign Mickael Antoine-Curier but is looking for reassurances over his fitness before committing to a deal.

Curier scored eight goals for Hamilton last season during a loan spell from Dundee but a knee injury curtailed his progress in the second half of the season.

The 27-year-old did not play for Dundee again before being made redundant when the Tayside club went into administration in October.

The Guadeloupe international has been training with Accies and is reportedly attracting interest from other clubs but a deal is not imminent.

"I'm a big admirer of Mickael-Antoine Curier," Reid said. "He did very well for me then picked up his injury. He has not played for quite some time which is a wee cause for concern. We need to make sure his knee is fine.

"He has had a condo lesion in his knee which is difficult for him. We've got to make sure things are right before we reach that stage."

Reid has the flexibility to bring in players after three players left the club ahead of today's Scottish Cup clash against Alloa.

Jim Goodwin departed for St Mirren at the end of his six-month contract, Derek Lyle was released and Jon Routledge has returned to parent club Wigan, although Reid hopes to extend the midfielder's loan spell.

"We've cleared the decks a wee bit so we're obviously looking to strengthen," Reid said.

"I know exactly what I need, I've taken in some games down south as well. If we can get them in straight away that would be fine but it's not as easy as that. We have a few weeks to do that."

Reid was philosophical about Goodwin's decision to join Clydesdale Bank Premier League rivals St Mirren.

The Accies manager said: "That's football, we made Jim an offer until the end of the season.

"He's a good football player, he fitted in to what we are trying to do. You've got to get Jim on the ball and if you get Jim on the ball he can have a massive effect.

"In terms of winning second balls, it probably wasn't his game. But he was great to work with and he leaves with our wishes."

Reid has had some good news this week after striker Nigel Hasselbaink recovered from a knee injury as Accies look to improve on a run of one goal in seven games.

"It's a massive bonus," Reid said. "We've missed him badly. He is a huge threat up front. I know he is a small lad but he gives us something completely different. When he gets the ball into feet and turns then any defender in the league, and I mean any defender, has got problems with his pace and dynamism.

"We have been really solid the last three or four games. We have worked hard to eradicate the errors we were making earlier in the season and we've done that. The only thing we're missing is the finished article up top and if Nigel plays then he certainly gives us that."