BILLY REID fielded four foreign trialists in Hamilton's 0-0 draw with Darlington last night as he bids to strengthen his squad for the start of next season.

Reid gave Luis Rubiales, Ismael Lopes, Rodrigo Ribeiro and Sufrane Zabboub a run-out - and also handed new signing Marvin Andrews his debut in the second half.

The Accies gaffer is desperate to bring in new faces after losing Scotland Under-21 left back Brian Easton to Barclays Premier League new boys Burnley and James McCarthy to Wigan.

Elsewhere, Reid has also offloaded striker Joel Thomas to Colchester in a move worth £125,000 to the New Douglas Park club.

He admitted: "There is a bit of rebuilding to do. We have to bring in players and I know the ones I want.

"These are huge losses for the club. We're not silly, when you lose players of that quality you have to bring a wee bit in. But it's tough to replace players of this standard.

"We move on and there will be a chance for others to come in. I'll be happy to do that. I've done this since my days at Clyde. Nothing changes for me.

"It's an influx of trialists and the one thing we're good at is finding players. We'll do it again.

"Finances dictate things for everybody and we're not a rich club in terms of paying huge money.

"I don't dictate finances, the chairman does. It's a business as well.

"But one thing I guarantee our fans is that come the start of the season this club will be ready."

Of the game against Darlington, Reid said: "It is fair to say they are way off match sharpness.

"But they showed up well and I'll take them to Ireland with me at the weekend and see how they get on there."