Scotland boss to assess players' fitness
Scotland national team coach Craig Levein will assess the fitness of several of his players before deciding on his line-up for Friday’s UEFA 2012 European Football Championship qualifying clash with Czech Republic in Prague.
First-choice right-back Alan Hutton is suffering from a groin problem, Rangers defender Steven Whittaker is rated as doubtful, while his club teammate Allan McGregor is bidding to recover from a thigh injury in time.
Levein will also run the rule over Wigan Athletic centre-half Gary Caldwell, who has not played first-team football since recovering from hip surgery. Levein had previously stated that the former Celtic man would not be up to playing in both Friday’s game
and the clash with Spain on Tuesday.
Rangers defensive midfielder Lee McCulloch is suspended for the match against the Czechs, but has been struggling with a hip problem and may also be out of the qualifier against the reigning World and European champions.
Brown has chance of making Spain game
Scotland has also lost Scott Brown, James McFadden, Kevin Thomson and Paul Hartley due to injury. But Brown stands a chance of playing a part in the Spain match. He has been suffering from an ankle knock, and it is hoped that by allowing the injury extra
time to heal, he could feature in Tuesday’s game.
Former Dundee United and Heart of Midlothian boss Levein faces a goalkeeping dilemma. If McGregor is not passed fit, he will have to choose between regular first-choice Craig Gordon — who is just returning to match fitness after returning from a long-term
arm injury — and rookie Cammy Bell, of Kilmarnock.
Meanwhile, Hutton’s injury, as well as that of Jay McEveley, could lead to a first cap for Sunderland defender Phil Bardsley. The 25-year-old received his first call up to the squad this week after Rangers man Kirk Broadfoot withdrew from the set-up due
to injury.
Tags: