Hamilton Accies boss offers update on injured cup final trio and admits surprise at Dan O'Reilly red card appeal being thrown out

Hamilton Accies boss John Rankin admits he might have to play players out of position on Saturday against Dundee - with FIVE players ruled out for the Championship clash.

The New Douglas Park side lifted the SPFL Trust Trophy on Sunday to claim their first cup win for 30 years, but their historic victory came at a big cost to their hops of landing a vital three points in the league this weekend.

Injured trio Benny Ashley-Seal, Marley Redfern and Matty Shiels - who all came off in the first half in the win over Raith Rovers - have been ruled out, while Dan O'Reilly's red card in the game means he joins the already suspended Scott Martin on the sidelines.

Accies will need to show the same team spirit - something Rankin says he is calling 'The Hamilton way' - that saw them stun Rovers with 10-men, as they aim to climb off the foot of the table.

Rankin said: "It was six changes we made for the final and we are looking at five for Saturday.

"Marley looks not as bad as first feared.

"Benny felt a twinge in his groin and didn't want to let the boys down. He was more aware of the surroundings and what it meant to everybody else, so fair play to him.

"But Shielsy is the one we are worried about the most. He was feeling it in his ankle but it is actually his knee that's the problem.

"Where he is right now, we are not too sure but he seems to be moving around okay.

"But obviously we've lost Scotty and Dan for this weekend as well.

"We've not really had Marley and Benny in the squad this season so we are able to adjust to that.

"It is looking like they will be able to take part in training again probably not this week, but next week.

"The good thing is we are more equipped now [for this kind of setback] than we were at the beginning