Football news: Whittaker and Gordon doubtful for Scotland

Published on Saturday 7 November 2009 20:29

CRAIG GORDON and Steven Whittaker are major doubts for next weekend's Scotland match against Wales in Cardiff after suffering injuries yesterday.

Gordon appeared to damage his wrist in Sunderland's 2-0 defeat at Tottenham Hotspur. The goalkeeper was hurt after saving an attempt from Jermain Defoe in the second half. The former Hearts stopper was left floored as Spurs nearly converted the rebound and was replaced by Marton Fulop with 20 minutes remaining.

His injury could open the door for Cardiff's David Marshall to play at his home ground for his country, or Aberdeen's Jamie Langfield, the two other keepers in George Burley's squad.

Whittaker, meanwhile, is nursing a hamstring injury. The Rangers right-back came off at half-time during yesterday's win over St Mirren. "It was tightening up towards the end of the first half. I think it's likely he'll miss the (Wales] game," said Ibrox manager Walter Smith, who confirmed that the player sustained the problem in the Champions League game against Unirea in midweek.

St Mirren's Stephen McGinn has been ruled out of the Scotland Under-21 international in Azerbaijan after going off with a back spasm after 48 minutes.

Killie players in dispute

KILMARNOCK players are embroiled in a dispute with the club over a code of conduct which one squad member has described as "unacceptable."

The players have met union representatives about the club wanting them to sign a document which could lead to severe financial reprisals for yellow and red cards. One player said the intended fines of 500 were "unacceptable, some players don't get much more than that as a weekly wage".

Manager Jim Jefferies said: "The players are not unhappy. They understand that at any football club there does have to be a system for dissent or reckless challenges, quite rightly, because the club got fined last year and a lot of the bookings were for those reasons.

"That is standard practice at any football club but because there are one or two things in there – which I am not prepared to disclose – that they are not happy about, they are not prepared to sign so we are waiting to see what the union says."

Deveronvale leave it late

DEVERONVALE scored in the dying seconds at Formartine to remain top of the Highland League. Champions Cove, courtesy of their win over Nairn, were on course to leapfrog the Banff side at the summit until Mark Smith lashed home a 93rd minute free-kick at North Lodge.

Barry Somers fired Formartine into a 22nd minute lead but Smith levelled with a crisp strike ten minutes later before his stunning last-gasp winner. Both teams were reduced to ten men in a fiery contest after Alistair Graham and Paul Urquhart saw red for a clash late on.

Cove were comfortable winners over Nairn, Paul Tosh striking early on and Martin Johnston also netting in a 4-2 win.