Hamilton accept they will lose young midfielder James McArthur this summer.

Speculation has long surrounded the future of the 22-year-old, with Leeds United the most recent club to be linked with a player who has also reportedly caught the eye of West Brom, Wigan and Rangers.

Accies risk losing McArthur for nothing next summer if he does not seal a move elsewhere.

Hamilton teammate Martin Canning said: "You've got to look back to last season, with Brian Easton and James McCarthy. Both of them were back for pre-season and both of them left.

"So I don't think it's any big surprise that he's not away yet and I don't think it means he won't go.

"That's just the way football is at the moment. The World Cup is on and things are a bit slower than they would normally be.

"I think most people are resigned to losing him.

"We would love him to stay but I think everybody accepts that he has done great for Hamilton and the time is right for him now to move on and test himself at a higher level."