Hickey Injury Adds to Scotland's Challenges
Brentford right-back Aaron Hickey will miss Scotland's upcoming World Cup warm-up friendlies against Japan and Ivory Coast due to injury, further compounding the fitness issues affecting several key players in Steve Clarke's squad.
The Premier League club confirmed that the 23-year-old, who was substituted at half-time during the match against Brighton & Hove Albion on 21 February due to a hamstring problem,
"will return after the March international break".
Other Injury Concerns in Scotland Squad
Bournemouth winger Ben Gannon-Doak remains sidelined with a hamstring injury sustained in the 4-2 victory over Denmark in November. The 20-year-old has missed most of the league season, and the club has not yet announced a return date.
Scotland striker Lawrence Shankland is already ruled out until April with a hamstring injury. Additionally, Heart of Midlothian head coach Derek McInnes has effectively ruled out goalkeeper Craig Gordon for the friendlies against Japan at Hampden on 28 March and Ivory Coast at Everton's new Hill Dickinson Stadium three days later.
The 43-year-old goalkeeper has been absent from the Scottish Premiership leaders' last six matches due to a shoulder injury.
Midfielder John McGinn is also doubtful for the friendlies. The Aston Villa player, aged 31, stated last week that he is approximately two to three weeks away from returning following knee surgery on 18 January, an injury that initially cast doubt on his participation in this summer's World Cup finals.
Scott McTominay, another midfielder, suffered an injury during Napoli's 7 February victory over Genoa. Although he mentioned last week that he had an outside chance of playing against Hellas Verona, he has now missed four consecutive matches.
Meanwhile, Billy Gilmour made his second substitute appearance since sustaining a groin injury in November, contributing to Napoli's 2-1 win.
In the same match, Romelu Lukaku scored the late winner, overcoming the efforts of Scotland striker Kieron Bowie, who was making his fourth start for the hosts. This marked Napoli's first win of the season with McTominay absent.
McTominay may be included in Napoli's squad for their upcoming home match against Torino on Friday. Fellow 29-year-old Che Adams could also return after missing two games with a calf strain. Adams was declared fit for the recent 2-0 win over Lazio but did not make the match-day squad.
Additional Player Updates
Derby County right-back Max Johnston is anticipated to return in mid-March after a four-month absence due to a hamstring injury, though he may not be match fit in time for Scotland's friendlies.
Defender Ross McCrorie came back to the Bristol City lineup in their recent loss to Watford after missing three games with concussion.
Centre-half Grant Hanley is expected to resume playing this week after missing five matches for Hibernian.
Rangers midfielder Connor Barron, sidelined since early January with a knee injury, is projected to return this month.
Goalkeeper Angus Gunn has been named on the Nottingham Forest bench since recovering from a knee ligament injury sustained in November. However, his limited game time remains a concern for Clarke.
