Steven Hammell is delighted the SPFL Reserve League has returned this season and admits he will be using it to his advantage to keep his entire first-team squad in top shape.
The Steelmen played their first reserve match of the new season earlier this month when they eased past Queen's Park 4-0 at Fir Park.
That allowed Louis Moult to get his first minutes under his belt since arriving on loan from Burton Albion and help him get up to speed for today's Premiership visit of Hearts.
The deadline day signing wasn't the only first team star to benefit from a run-out and Hammell admits it is likely the reserve team this term will regularly feature first-team players to help bring on the younger ones at the club.
Hammell said: "We had quite an experienced team out for that [Queen's Park] game.
"It was so important the likes of Louis Moult, Stuart McKinstry, Rolando Aarons got time. Bevis Mugabi hasn't played in a couple of weeks, Stephen O'Donnell as well.
"These boys are coming to me saying they want to play in these games so I think that shows you where the players are at and what the culture is like in the group.
"They want to play, they see the way we want to play and they need to be ready to step in when ready.
"We can't have players going two or three weeks without playing.
"So it's not a punishment playing for the reserve team.
"What I would say is we had three or four 16/17 year olds playing next to these guys so they are going to learn and develop.
"This is going to bring their progression on so much more.
"They [first team players] are doing it for selfish reasons to get their fitness up but, without even knowing it, they are bringing on the boys around them and that will show the levels they need to get to to compete with first team players.
"I'm happy the reserve group is back and we will use it to our advantage.
"It will probably not be as inexperienced a team going forward but what we do get is that exposure of our young players playing next to first team players, and what they require to make at this level."
The Steelmen are back in action today after last week's trip to Ross County was postponed as a mark of respect following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
That gave Hammell and his team time to catch their breath after a whirlwind start since taking the reins from Graham Alexander.
But Hammell, whose side's last outing came on September 3 in a 0-0 draw at home to Dundee United, said: "I would rather have played last week. We were ready for that game.
"I felt we were in a good place.
"We would have had one or two issues with a couple of the players, but I felt we were progressing, the boys were comfortable with what we were asking them to do and there was a real feelgood factor about.
"So if you offered me the chance to play or not play last week, we would have rather played.
"That was outwith our control and we've just used the time to fine tune things and we've used the time well."
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