CHRIS Casement has joined Hamilton Academical on loan for the rest of the year.

Derek Davis

CHRIS Casement has joined Hamilton Academical on loan for the rest of the year.

The Northern Ireland Under-21 defender will be with the Scottish Premier League side until at least January as he looks to step up his progress with regular first team football.

The 20-year-old has filled in at right back with David Wright injured and Alex Bruce suspended but the arrival of Moritz Volz allows him to gain further experience.

Casement is likely to be followed out on loan by a couple more youngsters over the weekend.

Blues boss Jim Magilton said: “It is important for the next stage of their development. They need to be playing league games every Saturday and going to Hamilton and playing in the SPL is a good opportunity for Chris.”