Antons Kurakins embraces central role after Hamilton's defensive crisis
Hamilton left-back Antons Kurakins' love of football means he is happy to be facing important games in July - despite being embroiled in a defensive crisis.
Accies have endured a difficult build-up to the new campaign, losing at Ayr in their opening Betfred Cup fixture amid a slow start to their summer transfer activity.
New arrivals have been offset by a lengthening injury list concentrated in central defence, where Martin Canning, Jesus Garcia Tena, Craig Watson and Scott McMann have all been missing, while Michael Devlin was suspended for Wednesday's trip to Edinburgh City.
That forced Kurakins to play at centre-back alongside 19-year-old Jordan McGregor but Accies bounced back from losing two early goals to win 4-2 and move three points behind group leaders Ayr, who have finished their campaign, ahead of Saturday's visit of Livingston.
On the new Betfred Cup format, Kurakins said: "I think it's all right because it's part of pre-season as well. It's good to get cup games before the start of the season.
"You can try different players and formations but you pick up games as well.
"We have had suspensions and a couple of injuries but that's part of football. You need to deal with that."
On his new role, the Latvian said: "Obviously, it's not my natural position but I needed to play because we didn't have any centre-backs. But we will sort this out and everything will be okay.
"I had maybe played there two or three times in my whole life. From the start, the gap was maybe too big sometimes, but we started to communicate more and I think we sorted the problem.
"I just enjoy playing football. It doesn't matter where, I just like to play and get the games.
"From different positions, you see everything from a different side and feel different. I will understand my centre-backs more now."
Devlin will be back for the SuperSeal Stadium fixture while Accies hope to introduce new Greek centre-back Georgios Sarris, after his transfer on a two-year deal was completed on Friday afternoon.
But the others will remain out along with Darren Lyon, Eamonn Brophy and Gramoz Kurtaj.
Livingston head to Hamilton with a full squad at the disposal of manager David Hopkin, who is looking for his side to improve at both ends of the park.
Hopkin said: "Against Ayr in midweek we let their centre-half wander forward for 30 yards and then stood off him as he hit a screamer into the top corner of the net. We huffed and puffed trying to get back into the game but never put their defence under any great pressure.
"It will be difficult to get a win at Hamilton but if we show improvement in defence and attack then we have a chance."
Source: PAR
