Thomson set to pull out of Scots squad

Published on Sunday 5 October 2008 23:48

IT IS expected that Kevin Thomson will have to withdraw from the Scotland squad for Saturday's World Cup qualifier against Norway at Hampden, after the Rangers midfielder suffered an ankle injury in his club's 1-0 defeat at St Mirren yesterday.

Thomson was carried off following a challenge by Garry Brady with just under an hour gone.

Rangers manager Walter Smith said: "He was in getting treatment when I came out, so I haven't spoke to him. It looked fairly swollen but I don't know what happened to him."

The Scotland squad will gather today, and with Kris Commons also an injury doubt, manager George Burley could turn to Hearts midfielder Michael Stewart as cover.

Norway midfielder Per Ciljan Skjelbred is set to miss the match after suffering a knee injury playing for Rosenborg yesterday.

Fellow midfielder Bjorn Helge Riise is also doubtful for this weekend's Group 9 clash after he did not play for his club, Lillestrom, yesterday due to injury. Norway were already doubtful over the fitness of Rosenborg striker Steffen Iversen.