Scotland risk being without John McGinn for the Euro 2020 play-offs as Aston Villa confirm he's suffered a fractured ankle.
The midfielder limped off in yesterday's 3-1 defeat to Southampton, with manager Dean Smith admitting after the match that "it doesn't look good".
McGinn was sent for an X-ray on the injury and today Villa have confirmed the severity of the injury.
On their official Twitter account the Premier League club announced: "The club can confirm that John McGinn suffered an ankle fracture during yesterday’s match with Southampton."
A fractured ankle would usually take six to eight weeks to heal, and even then a return to top level football would necessitate some extra time to recover.
McGinn could therefore be looking at up to three months on the sidelines.
The news is a huge blow to Scotland manager Steve Clarke , with the crucial play-off match with Israel at Hampden looming in March.
McGinn has become a key figure in the national team and scored a hat-trick against San Marino in the October international break.
He followed that up with a goal against Cyprus and a brace against Kazakhstan last month.
The Scotland national team sent a message of support on Twitter, writing: "Wishing you a safe and speedy recovery".
McGinn himself took to social media after the diagnosis was confirmed to say: "Thanks everyone for all the messages and support. Gutted but will be back before you know it."
