Chris Cusiter desperate to be fit for Pumas Tests

• Chris Cusiter has discovered that he has the same knee-cap abnormality as Andy Murray, but he is still determined to play a part in his first Scotland tour since the summer of 2004. Picture: SNS

Cusiter, who turns 28 the day after Scotland's first Test with the Pumas, has discovered that he has the same knee-cap abnormality as Andy Murray, the Scottish tennis player: a bipartite patella where the kneecap remains as two separate bones instead of fusing together in early childhood.

That is what turned a seemingly innocuous injury suffered in the Magners League a month ago into something more complex and means the Aberdonian will travel to Argentina and be given more time to let it settle.

"It has been a frustrating time," he said. "It has been nearly four weeks now and I didn't think it would be lingering on this long.

"I got hit on my knee-cap three or four times against the Scarlets which traumatised the joint. I have since discovered I have a bipartite patella, which is the same condition that Andy Murray has got. Maybe I was a bit unlucky to have the defect in the first place, but I've played without any problems and will play in the future without problems.

"I'm working with the medics to get it right and get myself to a stage where I can take part in full training and obviously play a game. I'm not quite there yet and so I have to keep working hard, but I'm very grateful that I've been given the opportunity to travel with the squad to Argentina and try and get it right over there.

"I have had discussions with Andy (Robinson] and I know I need to be involved in contact by Monday to have a chance of playing in the first Test, which I am desperate to be involved in."

Andy Robinson, the Scotland coach, insisted there would not be any pressure put on Cusiter and while he hinted that the fact he was captain had played a part in his decision to take him it was also down to having two fit and in-form scrum-halves in Mike Blair and Rory Lawson that allowed a bit of leeway.

"If we were playing this weekend he would not be fit," he said, "and he still has to do a week's training because he hasn't played for four weeks, so he will have to improve by quite a lot to do that (play in the first Test on Saturday week].

"But he will be going as captain as well and that is important for his leadership. In terms of when he'll play you make those decisions when he's ready and we're not going to push him."

Cusiter is a quiet-spoken, amiable character, but he possesses a strong desire and that was reflected as he spoke yesterday about doing everything he could to be fit for the Test matches, even if only the second one appears at all realistic.

When asked whether he might not be better staying at home and allowing the knee full recovery without the added stress of trying to make a Test, he viewed the suggestion as complete anathema. "There is a chance to tour, a chance to play for Scotland, and I don't take that lightly," he said. "I have not been on a summer tour since 2004 because I was injured in 2006 when we went to South Africa and I missed the last tour to Argentina as my club then (Perpignan] were in the French Championship still.

"Even if I was not captain I would still be as keen to go to Argentina as you don't get many opportunities to tour with Scotland and it is a huge honour to be selected.

"If it's not right and there's a risk of re-injury and it lasts longer that's a risk you take, but I wouldn't take any risks that would affect the rest of my career. It's maybe a calculated risk. There is pressure to get it right now when I'm out there, but with two good scrum-halves like Rory (Lawson] and Mike (Blair] there there is a bit of leeway.

"I know there isn't too much time and if I'm not fit to take a full part in training the Monday ahead of the second Test then I'd have to fly home, but I'm hopeful it will come on out there and I will get the chance to play."

Alan MacDonald, the versatile Edinburgh back row, is recovering well from his abdominal injury and if he comes through training next week will be back in the running for a squad place, but Richie Vernon, the Glasgow back row, has been ruled out of the Scotland A tour to Romania with a shoulder injury.

Glasgow Warriors yesterday moved into their new training base at Scotstoun Stadium.

Speaking as he settled into his new office, head coach Sean Lineen said: "Scotstoun is a superb facility. What a difference it will make in terms of training and individual player improvement at this club. We'll maybe also do our bit for the environment by not having to drive around the different locations as we are used to doing. To have a facility like this shows the ambition of Glasgow Warriors, and Scottish Rugby, for the sport of rugby in Glasgow."

Warriors chief executive Kenny Baillie echoed Lineen's sentiments whilst passing thanks to those who have assisted in the Warriors' relocation.

He said: "A significant amount of hard work has gone in over last few years to get us to where we are today, and on behalf of Glasgow Warriors, I would like to thank Glasgow City Council and Culture & Sport Glasgow, as well as my colleagues at Scottish Rugby, for their vision and support along the way. Scotstoun is a first class training facility and a real step forward for the sport of rugby in the city of Glasgow and west central Scotland."

As well as a refurbished track and field, Scotstoun Stadium boasts a full-length indoor warm-up track, fitness, conditioning and physio suites, grass and 3G training pitches and state-of-the-art media facilities.