Scotland's Kris Commons will not be fit to face Iceland in Wednesday's World Cup qualifier.
Midfielder suffers reaction but McManus and Hutton could start
Scotland assistant manager Terry Butcher has confirmed that Kris Commons will not be fit to face Iceland in Wednesday's World Cup qualifier.
The Derby midfielder has been sidelined with a calf injury for the past month and missed Saturday's 3-0 defeat in Holland.
However, hopes were high that Commons could recover fitness for the crucial Group Nine meeting with Iceland at Hampden Park, which can be seen live on
Sky Sports 2.
Butcher, though, has announced that the 25-year-old has suffered an adverse reaction to training over the weekend and will not be available.
Competitive
"No he won't be fit," Butcher told
Sky Sports News when asked about Commons' status.
"He has not really taken part in any competitive football at Derby. He is recovering from a calf injury.
"He tried to step it up on Friday but he had a reaction over the weekend so it is one of those situations that the game has just come too quickly."
But Butcher revealed Stephen McManus and Alan Hutton could be in the starting XI for a match which may prove decisive in determining progress to South Africa 2010, with both sides locked on four points after four games.
Optimistic
Celtic captain McManus was absent for the defeat in Amsterdam due to an ankle injury, while Tottenham full-back Hutton returned from a long-term foot problem as a second-half substitute.
"Stephen McManus is back with us and very keen to play. We are very optimistic he will take part in training, so that's a big plus as well," said Butcher.
"He shows the great spirit we have here. We are all determined to get the three points on Wednesday."
Of Hutton, Butcher added: "It was great seeing him back on Saturday. He felt the effects of the 30 minutes of the game he played. It was a very fast tempo against a very good Dutch side, but he thoroughly enjoyed it.
"The work done on Saturday and the work done since then puts him in the frame for a starting place against Iceland."
