Hamilton captain Alex Neil is itching to make his first appearance of the season so he can stamp his authority on the team.

The midfielder was an unused substitute against Celtic on Sunday and may be on the bench against St Mirren as he continues his comeback from summer hip surgery.

Accies have won just one Clydesdale Bank Scottish Premier League match without their skipper and he admits he has found it difficult guiding young and new players from the sidelines.

The former Barnsley midfielder said: "Obviously I try to speak to people as much as I can but it's really different doing it from the side when you're not involved.

"As long as you're doing what you ask them to do, it's not so bad. When you're standing at the side not doing anything and telling them to 'do this and do that', it's different.

"I think that's certainly one of the strongest aspects of my game, even if I'm not playing so well, being able to affect other guys in my team and making sure they don't let their standards slip."

Neil was due to play in a bounce game against Rangers on Wednesday but his stiff hip forced a rethink. That may limit his chances of facing an in-form St Mirren in Paisley.

"I won't be ready to start the game," the 28-year-old said.

"It's a strange injury with your hip. One day I wake up and it's perfectly fine and the next day I wake up and it's a bit achy.

"I haven't played any games yet. I was going to play on Wednesday but I woke up not feeling the best. It's frustrating but I'm getting closer and closer."

Hamilton lost their first four matches of the season with the concession of 12 goals as they faced up to losing talented youngsters James McCarthy and Brian Easton, while Neil's absence was exacerbated by other injuries and suspensions.

But their results have since improved and the Lanarkshire side will look to take advantage of a run of games that sees them play Motherwell, Falkirk and St Johnstone after St Mirren.

"People are always going to fancy us to struggle," Neil said.

"We are probably the smallest club in the SPL.

"We're down at the bottom end and we are going to have to scrap to keep ourselves in the league.

"But the gaffer has got people in and got the best out of them since he's been a manager.

"We tend to get boys who haven't got anywhere else and they come in here and do a great job.

"I think we lost something like 12 players and that takes its toll.

"It took a bit of time to settle down but the last three or four performances have been better."