Steve Clark does not believe Nathan Patterson is suitable for the World Cup playoffs with Ukraine in Scotland. The June 1st Hampden Park match will take place at Sky Sports. In case of victory, Scotland will meet Wales for the location of Qatar 2022.
Patterson is on the road to recovery and will be available for Scotland's games next month, but manager Clarke has admitted he may not be available in time for Hampden Park's clash with Ukraine on June 1, live on Sky Sports.
"I think at some point in four, or hopefully five games, Nathan will be fit to play," he said. "He is about to return to action and it will only depend on his fitness. I would rate him as a doubt for the game against Ukraine." Arsenal
defender Kieran Tierney was dropped from the squad after undergoing knee surgery in early April.
Chelsea midfielder Billy Gilmour was selected after missing the final game of his loan spell at Norwich with a minor injury, but Carrow Road teammate Kenny McLean was left out.
"Billy is fine," Clarke said. "I'm disappointed for Kenny McLean, who missed again. He missed the Euros due to injury and he missed the Euros again with a broken toe."
Center backs John Souttar and Liam Cooper have returned to the squad from injury, while Bologna full-back Aaron Hickey and Sunderland forward Ross Stewart have retained their positions after their first call-up in March.
Scotland hosts Ukraine a week on Wednesday in a delayed World Cup semi-final, with Wales awaiting a winner four days later.
Clarke's side also have two games against Armenia, the two sides on a trip to Dublin to face the Republic of Ireland in the first ever UEFA Nations League match. Center back
Hearts Souttar has returned from ankle surgery in the final two games of the season against Rangers, which he will join in the coming weeks.
The former Dundee United player scored in Scotland's final World Cup group stage game against Denmark in November.
Cooper has missed four months of the season with a hamstring injury but has played six games in a row. while Leeds retained their place in the Premier League.
He and Nottingham Forest's Scott McKenna are natural alternatives on the left for Clarke's third-placed Tierney.
Stephen O'Donnell and Anthony Ralston, along with left-back Hickey, are options for the right wing if Patterson isn't ready for the Ukraine game.
Celtic midfielder David Turnbull returns after missing the first few months of 2022 with a hamstring injury
Clarke has named four goalkeepers in his squad: Craig Gordon, David Marshall, Liam Kelly and Zander Clark.
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