Steve Clarke has revealed the extent of the sickness bug that has ravaged his Scotland camp ahead of facing Ukraine.
The Dark Blues face a huge night as they bid to round-off the perfect international triple-header by topping their League B section and gaining promotion to the top groups. The visitors need just one point in Poland to assure themselves of first place following wins over tonight's opponent and Republic of Ireland at Hampden last week.
But the national team have been tested with a viral infection in the camp with Lyndon Dykes and Stuart Armstrong unable to train yesterday while Che Adams and Greg Taylor have been feeling unwell over the past 24 hours. Ryan Fraser has also been affected alongside members of the backroom team.
READ MORE: Ukraine v Scotland on TV: Channel, kick-off time and live stream details for big Nations League game
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Scotland boss Clarke said: “We seem to have a little viral infection in the camp. Ryan Fraser actually had it the other night. He was up sick during the night before the Ireland game.
“Overnight we’ve had a few more feeling a little bit under the weather.
“They haven’t all been sick, but Lyndon and Stuart didn’t train as they had been sick quite late in the night. We gave them a bit of time to recover.
“One or two of the staff members haven’t been feeling too great, so there seems to be a little bit of a virus in the camp.
“We’ve obviously got to manage and monitor the situation. If it goes the same way as it did for Ryan, it’s less than 24 hours and then they are OK again. Fingers crossed nobody else picks it up.
“Che and Greg have felt under the weather but they wanted to train. They came outside but Lyndon and Stuart didn’t, but they will all travel.”
He added: "We’ve picked up a lot of injuries this last week. I was totting up the injuries the other day and I’m missing something like 16 players. That’s a lot.
“As always in this kind of situation, you tend to find it’s the one position that’s targeted and it’s one very general position — and that’s in defence.
“We’ve lost a lot of defenders, and a few forwards as well.
“But in this situation I always say it’s not about the ones who have dropped out, it’s about the ones who are here and can step in.
“It’s a great chance for them to show everybody what they are all about.”
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