Hutton set to miss out

May 25 2008 By Gordon Waddell

ALAN HUTTON looks set to be the next high-profile call-off from Scotland's clash with the Czech Republic in Prague on Friday.

George Burley has already lost James McFadden to a torn calf muscle.

And with four Old Firm stars - Barry Ferguson, Lee McCulloch, Alan McGregor and Scott Brown - already ruled out of the World Cup build-up, losing the Spurs fullback (right) to a toe injury is a real blow.

Burley said: "We're having to monitor Alan.

He was getting injections towards the end of the season for his toe problem. And Kevin Thomson is another one we'll keep an eye on. His foot problem has caused him to miss games as well."

But Burley defended the decision to play a friendly after the rigours of a long season and insists it's the only way he can get his squad ready for the World Cup campaign.

Buoyed by a 1-1 draw against Croatia in his first game in charge, he said: "This game with the Czechs is important because it's our only preparation. We have to play eight qualifying matches in two years as there are only five in the group.

"We've had one friendly game so far, an excellent one against a top-class team in Croatia.

"Now we've the Czech Republic and Northern Ireland in August and that's it.

"So no, I don't feel we're overdoing things and you need these matches to try things out otherwise you wouldn't be preparing properly."