Duo doubtful for Scotland

Commons and Thomson set to miss Norway clash

Last updated: 6th October 2008

Kris Commons Derby County Scotland

Commons: Hamstring strain

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Terry Butcher has confirmed Kris Commons and Kevin Thomson are unlikely to feature for Scotland this weekend.

Derby winger Commons is struggling with a hamstring problem, while Rangers midfielder Thomson suffered a slight knock during the Gers' 1-0 defeat to St Mirren on Sunday.

With George Burley's troops set to face Norway at Hampden Park on Saturday in the latest round of 2010 World Cup qualifiers, assistant boss Butcher admits Scotland are desperate to avoid further injuries before the crunch encounter.

Sore

"We have got Kevin Thomson and Kris Commons as well, who hasn't played for a couple of weeks with a hamstring problem and Kevin got a really sore one at St Mirren yesterday," he said.

"We'll see what the physios and doctors say tonight - that goes for all the other players as well because I'm sure there will be a few more knocks and niggles.

"But at the moment there's only a couple which could be a doubt, which is remarkable for Scotland because there's normally eight or nine, but hopefully it will just be those two cases.

"George is very philosophical about it, because he has to be, it's whoever turns up that we have to select from - simple as that. If players are struggling then we've got all this week to assess them and see where we are at the end of the week.

"We already have two players out, but the other players can more than make up for that."

Excited

Meanwhile, Butcher is hoping Scotland can put on a positive display in front of an expectant public this weekend.

"Everybody is excited and we have to make the players believe they can win the game and go out there and perform to the best of their abilities within the framework of the team," he said.

"It's about confidence. We are still at an early stage but the players have played a double-header (against Macedonia and Iceland), they know what it's all about, and hopefully after Saturday we will be in a good, strong position.

"It's up the staff and the players, in the few days that we have together, to make sure we are mentally right for the game and make sure we approach it properly.

"The players will be physically fit, that's not a problem.

"Mentally, it's about 'This is our kingdom, this is our place, and teams should come here and fear us' - hopefully they will do on Saturday."