COLCHESTER United striker Jo�l Thomas could face Celtic this weekend after rejoining former club Hamilton Academical on loan until the end of the season.

Stuart Watson

COLCHESTER United striker Jo�l Thomas could face Celtic this weekend after rejoining former club Hamilton Academical on loan until the end of the season.

The 22-year-old Frenchman was signed from the Scottish Premier League club by Paul Lambert for �125,000 last summer.

However, the pacy forward has found his first team opportunities severely limited during his time at the Weston Homes Community Stadium, making just seven late substitute appearances.

“It will be very good for me to go back and I hope that I do well there,” said Thomas, who is travelling up to Scotland today.

“There have been times where I think I shouldn't have left, but I think I have also been unfortunate here.

“I was feeling very fit when I arrived, but I haven't had much time to play, so I am very happy to go back to Hamilton and to play some football.

“I have a contract with Colchester and I am not looking too far into the future. At the moment all I am thinking about is the next game at Hamilton.”

Should all the paperwork for the move be completed in time, Thomas could be in line to make his second Hamilton debut in their home match against Celtic on Saturday.

Hamilton are currently third-from-bottom of the Scottish Premier League and find themselves just three points ahead of bottom-placed Falkrik.