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Venue: Rheinpark Stadion, Vaduz

Date: Saturday 8 October

Kick-off: 1830 BST

Coverage: Live on BBC 2 Scotland, BBC Radio Scotland 810mw, BBC Sport website (UK users only)

 

 

Wigan's James McArthur has been called up for Scotland's Euro 2012 double header against Liechtenstein and Spain after Robert Snodgrass withdrew with an ankle injury.

 

Meanwhile, captain Darren Fletcher could be a fitness doubt after being hit by tonsillitis.

 

The midfielder has not travelled and will be assessed by Scottish Football Association medical staff on Wednesday.

 

Craig Levein's side travel to Vaduz on Thursday ahead of Saturday's tie.

 

Snodgrass is the third player to pull out of the squad after Blackpool pair Stephen Crainey and Matt Gilks, who were replaced by Lee Wallace and Cammy Bell.

 

Scotland assistant manager Peter Houston also says "it will be difficult" for Kenny Miller to be fit to face Liechtenstein.

 

But Houston is "hopeful" that the striker will make Tuesday's game against Spain despite the groin injury that forced him out of Cardiff's weekend match.

 

Scotland's Euro 2012 campaign so far

 

"Certainly, Kenny is more than hopeful and is still progressing," said assistant Houston.

 

"No-one knows their own body better than himself."

 

Miller suffered a groin injury that forced him off early in Cardiff's npower Championship defeat by Hull City, but he is working with the Scotland physios and plans to travel with the squad when they fly out for the double header on Thursday.

 

McArthur last featured for Scotland against Brazil in a friendly at Emirates Stadium in March and scored in the 3-0 win against Northern Ireland in February's Carling Nations Cup encounter.

 

He looks unlikely to be risked for the clash in Vaduz, with Brighton striker Craig Mackail-Smith set to step in.

Cammy Bell and Lee Wallace Bell and Wallace have been added to the Scotland squad (Pics: SNS)

 

However, with Scotland hoping to emerge from the double header with a play-off place by finishing second behind Spain in Group I, the final group game in Alicante on Tuesday looks a realistic target.

 

"Kenny Miller is still with us," said Houston, who said it was be disappointing if the Scots had to do without a player who has scored 15 times in 57 internationals. "He's progressing by the day.

 

"Kenny came up on Saturday evening and stayed here and the difference between Saturday and Sunday and him feeling better was quite amazing.

 

"He is working away with the physios and hasn't joined our sessions yet.

 

"Saturday might be difficult, but certainly for Tuesday I have high hopes for him."

 

Scotland have four listed strikers in their squad, with David Goodwillie the back-up for Miller and Mackail-Smith, while Steven Naismith can also be used up front.

 

"We haven't really spoken about bringing anyone else in with regards to that," Houston said.

 

"I think it will be as you are with regards to the striker department if Kenny doesn't make it."

 

The former Rangers, Celtic and Bursaspor striker scored one and set up the other goal in last month's 2-2 home draw with Czech Republic but missed the following 1-0 win over Lithuania through suspension.

 

Houston is confident Mackail-Smith can step in against Liechtenstein if required.

 

Media conference: Scotland defender Gary Caldwell

 

"Craig Mackail-Smith is a bit similar to Kenny - he works very hard, is very, very quick and, more importantly he is scoring goals and in very, very good form," said the coach.

 

Aston Villa right-back Alan Hutton has been receiving treatment for a knee injury, while Leeds winger Robert Snodgrass has an ankle problem, but both are expected to be fit.

 

However, Houston confirmed that Kilmarnock goalkeeper Bell had replaced Gilks in the squad.

 

Scotland squad

 

Goalkeepers: David Marshall (Cardiff City), Allan McGregor (Rangers), Cammy Bell (Kilmarnock)

 

Defenders: Stephen McManus (Middlesbrough), Steven Whittaker (Rangers), Alan Hutton (Aston Villa), Phil Bardsley (Sunderland), Grant Hanley (Blackburn Rovers), Lee Wallace (Rangers), Christophe Berra (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Gary Caldwell (Wigan Athletic)

 

Midfielders: Charlie Adam (Liverpool), Barry Bannan (Aston Villa), Don Cowie (Cardiff City), Graham Dorrans (West Bromwich Albion), Darren Fletcher (Manchester United), James Forrest (Celtic), James Morrison (West Bromwich Albion), Steven Naismith (Rangers), Barry Robson (Middlesbrough), Robert Snodgrass (Leeds United), Danny Swanson (Dundee United)

 

Forwards: David Goodwillie (Blackburn Rovers), Craig Mackail-Smith (Brighton and Hove Albion), Kenny Miller (Cardiff City)

 

Spain v Scotland is live on BBC 1 Scotland and BBC Radio Scotland on Tuesday 11 October. Kick off is at 1945 BST

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/scotland/15138390.stm

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I'm working on Friday night so will miss the game. Can't say I'm disappointed!

 

I think Scotland will win but only just......again.

 

Even though its on a Saturday :thup:

 

I agree with the bottom part or we lose and beat Spain..... aye, right.

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Ross McCormack was more deserving to be in the squad championship top scorer at the time of the squad selection.

 

Levein showed his Dundee Utd bias on Sportscene by saying Danny Swanson was the best player he has ever worked with, well if that is the case why is he still at Dundee Utd? Up there will giving Garry Kenneth caps.

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Is Templeton not a million times more deserving than Forest. Is he only in there to ensure a Celtic presence?

 

Depends how you look at it. I'd say Templeton is a better player, but Forrest got a lot more Scotland U19 caps.

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Levein showed his Dundee Utd bias on Sportscene by saying Danny Swanson was the best player he has ever worked with, well if that is the case why is he still at Dundee Utd? Up there will giving Garry Kenneth caps.

 

It's because of Houston as well. The pair of them are giving Dundee Utd players caps to increase the value of the players for Utd IMO.

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