St Mirren are hoping Michael Higdon and Steven Thomson shake off the effects of a virus in time for Saturday's Clydesdale Bank Premier League game against Hamilton.

Striker Higdon climbed off his sick bed to score in Tuesday night's Co-operative Insurance Cup quarter-final win against Motherwell but is a doubt, while midfielder Thomson sat out the midweek tie.

Saints remain without Craig Dargo (shoulder), Mo Camara (knee), Chris Smith (knee) and Steven Robb (groin), while Tom Brighton (knee) could miss the rest of the season.

Hamilton midfielder Gary Mason should return from a knock.

Skipper Alex Neil may be on the bench again as he continues to build up fitness following summer hip surgery but he is not ready to start.

Long-term casualties Derek Lyle and James Gibson both remain on the sidelines with knee problems, while young striker Gary Gow has broken an elbow.

Teams:

St Mirren (from): Gallacher, Ross, Mair, Barron, Potter, Thomson, McGinn, Dorman, Ramsey, Murray, Johnston, Mehmet, O'Donnell, Howard, Innes, McLean, Higdon, Brady.

Hamilton (from): Cerny, McClenahan, Evans, Hastings, Canning, McLaughlin, Wesolowski, McArthur, Antoine-Curier, Elebert, Beuzelin, M. Paixao, Kirkpatrick, Mensing, Murdoch, Neil, Andrews, Mason.