Neil and Gibson face lengthy spells on the sidelines

Hamilton have suffered a double injury blow with skipper Alex Neil and defender James Gibson facing lengthy spells on the sidelines.

Neil is due to undergo a hip operation and Gibson will also go under the knife after suffering cruciate ligament damage in a training-ground accident.

"Alex is expected to be out of action until the end of the year," the club said in a statement on its website.

Left-back Gibson aims to feature for Accies later in the campaign, it added.

The injuries give Hamilton boss Billy Reid a selection headache at full-back following Brian Easton's move to Burnley.

Twenty-eight-year-old midfielder Neil started his career with Airdrie and joined Accies in 2005 from English club Mansfield.

Gibson, 20, signed a professional contract with Hamilton in December 2006 and would have been confident of becoming a regular at left-back following Easton's departure.

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