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Ben Banks

Blackburn return ruled out but Hamilton boss confirms Rovers loanee set for weeks out after avoiding season-ending injury

Hamilton head coach Stuart Taylor says goalkeeper Joe Hilton is fortunate not to be out for the season - but still faces weeks out of action.

The Blackburn Rovers loanee suffered a knock in last week's Championship win over Morton and was replaced by Ryan Fulton for the 1-1 draw with Inverness.

He made a few good saves to ensure his side took a point and move up to sixth in the league prior to Saturday's other Championship matches.

Taylor was keen to praise former Liverpool youngster Fulton but admits Hilton's miss will be felt after a scan confirmed a medial collateral ligament tear, although he won't return to Blackburn, who loaned him to Accies for the season.

Speaking of his goalkeeper situation, Taylor said: "Joe's scan came back and we were concerned about it. We thought a blow he took against Morton would mean an operation.

"He'd have been out for the rest of the season but it's a grade two tear, which means he's out for four-eight weeks. We'll keep monitoring it and hopefully he recovers quickly.

"We spoke to Blackburn and they are happy (for him to stay at Hamilton). We've got facilities and equipment here to get him back fit. They put it to Joe and he was more than happy to do so, which says a lot.

Accies goalkeeper Joe Hilton (SNS Group)

"Fortunately we have two good goalkeepers. It's a big competition there as Ryan and Joe work well together. I thought Ryan was fantastic and made three incredible saves.

"It shows the class of him. Top goalkeepers make key saves at big moments and he did that."

A strong start from Accies had them ahead again through Josh Mullin's impressive goal in the first half's first quarter, before Sam Pearson levelled for Inverness.

It's a fourth draw in five games for Taylor's side who have suffered just one defeat in eight league matches.

The Accies head coach added: "The game was very open and they went all-out. At times we defended well, at times we could have defended better.

"They had chances, we had chances. The game could have gone both ways. It was a great game of football for the neutral. We created good chances to put the game to bed early doors.

"We took the foot off the pedal a wee bit in the first half and had a spell where the intensity slowed down. Then the second half was end-to-end."

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