HAMILTON'S hopes of following up their massive Lanarkshire derby win over Motherwell with another victory were given a huge lift today.

Mark McLaughlin and Tomas Cerny, who both had to leave the field in the 2-0 triumph against Well, could be fit to face St Mirren on Saturday.

Cerny was substituted in the first-half of the New Douglas Park showdown after being involved in a collision with Steelmen forward Chris Porter.

But it has emerged the Czech keeper has not, as was first feared, suffered concussion and he could train with the Accies squad as early as tomorrow.

Meanwhile, centre half McLaughlin, stretchered off in the second half after clashing with replacement goalie Sean Howard, has only sustained severe bruising. The 6ft 2in defender was taken to Wishaw General Hospital in severe pain but X-rays showed he had not broken anything.

Accies assistant Stuart Taylor confirmed: "The injuries suffered by Mark and Tomas aren't as bad as we first thought they would be. It is definitely good news for us.

"Tomas doesn't have concussion and is hoping to come back in to training tomorrow.

"He has been fantastic for us this season and it will be good for us if he is available for Love Street.

"The physio will have a look at Mark this week, but that is nowhere near as serious as we thought it was when he came off on Saturday."

If Billy Reid's boys are fully fit and can replicate their performance against Motherwell when they play in Paisley this weekend they have every chance of moving off the foot of the table.

They thoroughly deserved to defeat their local rivals for the second time in the 2008/09 campaign thanks to a committed display.

Despite losing two key men in Cerny and McLaughlin in either half, they were by far the better side against Mark McGhee's depleted side.

James McCarthy made all the difference, with the 18-year-old scoring both Accies goals in either half.

Replacement keeper Howard said: "James scored both of his goals brilliantly. He is a great player who has a bright future ahead of him in the game. Hopefully, that will be with Hamilton."

Meanwhile, Well boss McGhee refused to use injuries as an excuse for a defeat which left them level on points at the bottom of the SPL table with Inverness Caley Thistle, Accies and Falkirk.

But the Fir Park club, who have a game in hand over the teams level with them, clearly missed the backbone of their team - defender Stephen Craigan, midfielder Stephen Hughes and striker David Clarkson.

Craigan and Hughes are likely to return to the starting line-up for the visit of Caley Thistle on Saturday.