John Rankin is frustrated to see Hamilton's SPFL Trust Trophy clash with Rangers B postponed this weekend, but admits it will allow some key players to return for the Championship trip visit of Dundee on October 1.
International call-ups among both squads have ensured the third round tie, which was due to be played on Saturday at Dumbarton Stadium, has been shifted to the night of Tuesday, November 8.
The Accies boss would rather have got the game played but admits with winger Dario Zanatta and midfield general Scott Martin both struggling with back injuries following Saturday's 2-0 league defeat to Queen's Park, the enforced break will provide much-needed recovery time.
Rankin said: "These cup games are part of the fixtures for us at the start of the season and when we find out we can't get the game on it is frustrating, but I totally understand why.
"Rangers have got players on international duty and so do we with Lucas de Bolle and Chrissy McGinn both away for us.
"Albeit, I would have liked to try and play the game, especially with how the game went on Saturday to try and bounce back from that defeat. If we'd won the game I'd still have wanted to play this weekend as well to keep the momentum going.
"But it is a chance for some players who are nursing knocks to try and get through this week.
"Dario had to come off due to a knock to his back so this gives him a bit of time to overcome that for the Dundee game.
"Likewise Scotty Martin. We didn't think he was going to play on Saturday morning because he was struggling with his back and I don't know how managed to get through the game the way he did.
"But that speaks volumes for Scotty as a guy and a player.
"There was a lot of disappointing things on Saturday but one of the positives was that someone could do that for their team. Get through 90 minutes to try and help the cause.
"I take my hat off to him. Scotty wanted to play and I didn't think for a minute he'd get through 90 minutes but he had that desire to help his team.
"He will get treatment this week - it is just a stiff back - and he won't do too much this week to get back fit."
New signing Lucas de Bolle made his debut at the weekend when he replaced Zanatta after 71 minutes and Rankin was pleased with the contribution from the midfielder, who is away with Scotland's under-21s for a friendly double-header with Northern Ireland.
Rankin said: "It was always a case we would only get 20 minutes, half an hour out of him, and with him being away with Scotland under-21s this weekend that will obviously help with getting his training time up, but it doesn't help us with introducing him to our environment.
"Lucas was keen to get up here last week and he just wanted to be part of it all and feel like he could help.
"I thought he came on and made a contribution on Saturday and going forward he will be a good option for us to have."
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