HAMILTON defender Mark McLaughlin is prepared to play through the pain barrier against Aberdeen at Pittodrie on Saturday.

McLaughlin played in the Homecoming Scottish Cup quarter-final against Rangers at Ibrox last Sunday with his head bandaged having received eight stitches.

However, the centre- half limped off just before the interval in the 5-1 defeat.

However, he is confident he will be fit to take to the field in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League showdown with the Dons.

He said: "The wound has healed fantastically, but I have nerve damage. It is tender.

"The headgear I tried at Ibrox wasn't comfortable. I went with strapping, but it became too tight and I had to come off.

"Hopefully, it won't be as painful. If not, I'll just get my head down and battle through it. There are so many injured I want to do my bit."

Accies boss Billy Reid could be without Martin Canning, Brian Easton, James McArthur, David Elebert and Richard Offiong.

Elsewhere, Danny Invincibile has labelled his side's showdown with Inverness Caley Thistle this weekend as their biggest of the season.

The Rugby Park club are just four points above Terry Butcher's men in the league table and want to avoid being dragged into a relegation battle.

Invincibile said: "It's a massive game. We need to go up there on Satur-day and get a result. That is the be all and end all. If we don't we will be right in trouble.

"It's probably our most important match of the season. We've beaten sides above us like Dundee United, Hearts and Hibs, but we've not beaten Inverness and that has to stop now."

Meanwhile, Jackie McNamara and Neil McCann look set to be fit for Falkirk's clash with Caley Thistle in 10 days' time.