Craig Levein says if David Marshall plays for Cardiff on Wednesday it will end his international career.
Injured shot-stopper told Scotland future is at risk
Scotland boss Craig Levein has warned goalkeeper David Marshall if he plays for Cardiff on Wednesday it will spell the end of his international career.
Marshall was permitted by Levein to return to the Championship club on Sunday night for treatment on a long-term elbow injury after the 25-year-old had been assessed by Scotland's medical staff and deemed unfit for the international friendly against Sweden.
However, the keeper could be called on by Bluebirds manager Dave Jones to feature in the Carling Cup tie against Burton Albion, which falls on the same night as the Stockholm clash.
Pleaded
Jones had previously pleaded with Levein for Marshall to be omitted from the Scotland line-up in order to help his threadbare squad through the crucial tie.
But, after rejecting his request and naming Marshall in his 23-man squad, Levein has made it clear a run-out for Cardiff on Wednesday will result in the shot-stopper being permanently ejected from the international set-up.
"If David plays for Cardiff in midweek I don't think he'll be back in the Scotland squad," Levein told the
Daily Record.
"To be fair to him he arrived off a flight at 10 on Sunday night and went back down first thing in the morning.
"He's got a problem with his elbow that he's had for weeks and in my opinion and the medical team's he's not fit to play on Wednesday.
"I'm pleased he made the effort to come and the same goes for Graham Dorrans.
"I just want to get this idea across that if you're injured I'd still like them to come up and be with the squad, even for a night. We don't get together often enough to pass these chances up."
Levein has also named four Middlesbrough players for the Sweden clash, despite Gordon Strachan's team facing another important cup tie at Chesterfield the same night.
The Scotland manager has been hit by several big-name call-offs, with Lee McCulloch, Andy Webster, Scott Brown, Alan Hutton, Dorrans and Marshall all out of his original line-up.
And he believes his strict approach is necessary with the start of his side's Euro 2012 campaign looming in Lithuania next month.
Rules
"We have to put some sort of rules in place. If you're playing in a game just before a call-up and you get an injury I'm sure it's right that you turn up and let the national doctor assess you," he said.
"That's what's happened here and clubs have played fair with me.
"Although we have a fair number missing I still think we can get something out of this game, so let's see if we can come back with our heads held high - that's really important."
