In a significant blow to Scotland's Euro 2024 qualifying campaign, Everton right-back Nathan Patterson has been ruled out of the upcoming crucial matches against Cyprus and England due to a knee injury.
The 21-year-old defender, a key figure for both club and country, sustained the knock during training at Everton's Finch Farm complex. Subsequent medical assessment confirmed the problem, forcing him to withdraw from Steve Clarke's squad just days before the team's departure.
This absence creates a major selection headache for Clarke, as Patterson has firmly established himself as the first-choice in his position. His dynamic attacking contributions and solid defensive work will be sorely missed against Cyprus in Larnaca and in the historic friendly against England at Hampden Park.
In further concerning news for the Tartan Army, Southampton midfielder Stuart Armstrong is also a fitness doubt. Armstrong missed Southampton's recent Championship victory and will be carefully assessed by the Scottish medical team upon his arrival at the squad's camp.
Meanwhile, the Scottish squad received a boost with the arrival of English-based players like John McGinn, Scott McTominay, and Kieran Tierney, who all linked up with the team ahead of their travel to Cyprus.
In a separate update, the Northern Ireland squad has arrived in Slovenia for their friendly match in Ljubljana. Manager Michael O'Neill confirmed that all 24 players in his squad are fully fit and available for selection, providing a stark contrast to Scotland's injury woes.
O'Neill's men will use this fixture as vital preparation for their own Euro 2024 qualifier against Kazakhstan in Belfast. The manager emphasised the importance of building momentum and assessing his options in a competitive setting.
The focus now shifts to how Steve Clarke will adapt his lineup, with likely replacements for Patterson including Celtic's Anthony Ralston or Nottingham Forest's Scott McKenna, potentially forcing a tactical reshuffle.
