Miller still in squad but awaits scan result

KENNY Miller’s prospects of being available to lead the line for Scotland in their final two Euro 2012 Group I qualifying matches appeared to brighten yesterday when he was given the all-clear to remain with the squad at their Renfrewshire headquarters.

The Cardiff City striker had been considered a serious doubt for the away fixtures in Liechtenstein on Saturday and Spain four days later after limping out of his club’s Championship game at Hull City at the weekend with a groin injury.

Miller was assessed by the SFA’s medical staff yesterday and, pending the result of a scan, will continue to be monitored over the next 48 hours. Scotland fly out to Switzerland on Thursday afternoon where they will be based ahead of Saturday evening’s game against Liechtenstein in Vaduz.

Scotland manager Craig Levein will await a final verdict from his doctors and physios on whether Miller is fit enough to travel but the fact the 31-year-old forward has not been sent home immediately is cause for optimism.

The leading goalscorer in the Scotland squad, with 15 goals from his 57 appearances to date, Miller believes his decision to leave the action after just ten minutes against Hull on Saturday may have spared him from a more serious injury.

“I just made a run and noticed my groin,” he said. “I went off right away and hopefully that will have minimised potential damage.

“The scan should tell me the extent of the problem. But it already seems a lot better than it did on Saturday.

“I have seen the Scotland physio and he thinks it could be a slight pull rather than a tear or anything worse. I certainly don’t think it is a tear and I have my fingers crossed it isn’t.

“My hope is that it is just a small strain which I should be able to work through. I haven’t ruled myself out for Scotland yet but I won’t take any unnecessary risks.”

Scotland were forced into one more change to their squad last night when Blackpool goalkeeper Matt Gilks withdrew because of an ankle injury. He has been replaced by Cammy Bell of Kilmarnock.

Gilks’ club-mate Stephen Crainey had already pulled out on Sunday, having also damaged an ankle in Blackpool’s match against Bristol City on Saturday. He has been replaced by Rangers’ left-back Lee Wallace, back in the Scotland squad for the first time since suffering a serious knee ligament injury during the 2-1 win over Liechtenstein at Hampden last year.