Mark McLaughlin would love to see Hamilton bolstered by a couple of new signings ahead of the new season.

But the Accies defender insists retaining the services of their key personnel is even more important.

Highly-rated teenager James McCarthy was the subject of speculation throughout his debut season in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League, while fellow youngsters James McArthur and Brian Easton also attracted interest from both sides of the border.

All three played a major part in Hamilton surviving their first season back in the top flight and McLaughlin hopes they will be around to help consolidate their SPL status.

He said: "If we could get a couple of players in, it would be fantastic.

"With the Setanta thing, I don't know how that will work out. That will be down to Ronnie [MacDonald, chairman] and the gaffer.

"I think the main thing is that we don't lose any players.

"Over the coming weeks, we'll see if we can hold on to the two James and Brian Easton and hopefully we can get Tomas Cerny signed as well. Hopefully we can get that done."

Hamilton proved to be a welcome addition to the SPL last term, finishing in a respectable ninth position, but McLaughlin admits life in the top flight did not quite meet his expectations.

"I've enjoyed it, it has been really good," he said.

"There maybe wasn't as much football as I thought there would be.

"Survival was the main thing and to do that was great.

"I have enjoyed it but it's probably not what I thought it would have been to be honest."

McLaughlin will sit out the first two games of the new season through suspension, before returning against Rangers at Ibrox.

He told www.acciesfc.co.uk: "I'm extremely disappointed. Unfortunately I picked up too many yellow cards last year.

"But it's a good one to come back to, Rangers away. I'm disappointed to be missing the first two games."