STEVEN Naismith is in line to lead the Scotland attack against Norway in Molde on Tuesday night after Steven Fletcher was allowed to return to his club side Sunderland.
The 26-year-old striker, who featured for his country for the first time since March on Friday night against the USA at Hampden, has only recently returned to the Black Cats' first team following a shoulder injury and one match has been deemed sufficient in his progress for now.
Although Ross McCormack of Leeds United came off the bench against Jurgen Klinsmann's side and should also feature at some stage on Tuesday night, Fletcher's absence will almost certainly mean another starring role for Naismith, the Everton player who excelled in an advanced position in Fletcher's absence against both Macedonia and Croatia.
Jordan Rhodes, is already back at Blackburn Rovers, after rolling his ankle in training last week.
Fletcher isn't the only high-profile player who won't be on the flight to Norway. Celtic's Charlie Mulgrew was also sent home from the team's Mar Hall camp yesterday.
He was excused the trip to Scandinavia on the strength of the fact that a punishing schedule this season has seen him make no fewer than 22 appearances for club and country.
That apart, the only fresh injury news yesterday related to central defender Grant Hanley, who has been experiencing tightness in a hamstring.
However the Blackburn Rovers player is expected to shrug off the problem in time for the friendly encounter.
Gordon Strachan clearly remains happy with the strength and depth of his squad, with the SFA confirming last night that there were no plans to call up any further players to the travelling party to compensate for the departures of Fletcher and Mulgrew.
l Scotland, pages 8-11
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