Martin Canning backs David Templeton to produce the goods for Hamilton Accies
Martin Canning believes just one moment of magic from David Templeton could help Hamilton's survival prospects.
Martin Canning believes just one moment of magic from David Templeton could help Hamilton's survival prospects.
The 28-year-old former Rangers winger this week signed for Accies, who are bottom of the Ladbrokes Premiership, until the end of the season.
Templeton has been without a club since being released by Rangers in May 2016, his last appearance coming against St Mirren the previous August, before he suffered a knee injury.
Ahead of the visit of St Johnstone on Saturday, Hamilton boss Canning said: "Obviously he hasn't played in a while so his fitness is a wee issue but he's definitely got quality, you've seen it in training on Monday and Tuesday.
"He can definitely add something, whether it is starting games or whether it is giving us something in the last 15 or 20 minutes in games.
"It might be the one cross, the one pass, the one shot, the one goal that gets you three points, it might be invaluable.
"David is a good guy, I have known him for a few years, he has a good attitude. He has been unfortunate with injury.
"There obviously is (a risk) when he has not played but it is a short-term contract so the financial risk isn't huge.
"If it is one win that he gets between now and the end of the season it might be the win that makes the difference so it is a risk worth taking or exploring.
"He probably won't be involved this weekend. We will probably get him involved from the under-20s next week and take it from there.''
Canning welcomes back skipper Michael Devlin and striker Alex D'Acol for the visit of the fourth-placed Saints after recovering from respective calf and ankle injuries.
He said: "This is probably the best we have been all season (in terms of injuries), we only have Louis Longridge ( broken foot) and Darren Lyon (hip) out and both of them are within a week of returning.
"It is great at the business end of the season. We need to get players fit and if we can keep everyone fit that can be massive.''