Injury worries mount for Scotland

Craig Levein
12 April 2012

Craig Levein's injury worries means he will delay naming his Scotland team to play Spain in their crunch Euro 2012 Group I qualifier in Alicante until Tuesday morning.

Striker Kenny Miller is still struggling with a groin complaint which kept him out of Saturday's 1-0 win over Liechtenstein in Vaduz, a result which means a victory over the world and European champions will guarantee the Scots a play-off place.

Craig Mackail-Smith, who scored his first goal in his first start for Scotland, has a back problem, skipper Darren Fletcher suffered an ankle knock and Barry Bannan had to have a cut on his Achilles glued together.

Should both Miller and Mackail-Smith fail to make it, Blackburn's David Goodwillie will play the lone-striker's role.

When asked about injuries, the Scotland boss said: "Where to start? The most doubtful will be Kenny. He hasn't improved from Friday until today. I'm not definitely ruling him out but he would be the most doubtful.

"Darren Fletcher and Craig Mackail-Smith will do a little bit today and will have fitness tests tomorrow. I am more hopeful with those two than Kenny but as yet I can't give any definitive answer. Barry will do a little bit today. His problem is whether he can get his boot on so it doesn't open up the injury again, it is in an awkward place."

Meanwhile, Levein does not believe Scotland's chances of making the Euro 2012 play-offs will be made any easier even if Spain boss Vicente Del Bosque rotates his squad for the Group I qualifying finale.

Scotland are one point clear in second place above fellow play-off contenders Czech Republic, who are in Lithuania at the same time Levein's men are playing the world and European champions. Technically, Scotland have their fate in their own hands but a defeat would mean the Czechs need only draw to secure a play-off spot.

"He (Del Bosque) said he would try to give everyone in the squad a game. If that is the case, then a lot of the big-hitters were playing on Friday night against Czech Republic. But their strength-in-depth is phenomenal," said Levein.

"It's not as if they are going to bring in young guys who have never played before or are not up to the required standard but we have to wait and see."

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