Scotland manager Craig Brown's preparations for the World Cup qualifying games against San Marino on Saturday and Croatia the following Wednesday have suffered another set-back with the new man on the block, Leeds United player Dominic Matteo, as well as key man Paul Lambert of Celtic, pulling out through injury.
The former Liverpool player sustained an ankle injury in his side's victory over Tottenham on Saturday and will miss out on his first international cap against San Marino. He is not yet ruled out, however, of the game with Croatia on Wednesday. Said Brown: ''A scan has shown that the player is not going to be ready for Saturday, but if he is fit by the weekend, we will consider flying him out to join us.''
Lambert is not a starter for either game, however, as the effects of his poisoned toe could keep him out for a while. Brown also looks certain to be without Rangers midfielder Barry Ferguson, who has been struggling for weeks with an Achilles injury.
If Ferguson is out as well as the others, the chances are that Brown will call in another striker. Don Hutchison will be called into the midfield zone, and that will leave a gap to be filled in the forward line.
Contenders include Robbie Winters and Paul Dickov.
Ian Paul
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