Adam joins Scotland's injury list

Charlie Adam
12 April 2012

Liverpool midfielder Charlie Adam will miss Scotland's Euro 2012 qualifying match against Lithuania due to a hip injury.

The former Rangers and Blackpool player was forced off after 80 minutes of Saturday's home clash with the Czech Republic because of the problem.

That made him doubtful for Tuesday's Hampden showdown, and on Sunday night the Scottish Football Association confirmed on their Twitter page that the 25-year-old would miss the game, posting "Charlie Adam definitely out".

His absence further depletes Craig Levein's squad, which has been savaged by injury and suspensions.

Levein has also lost the services of Brighton striker Craig Mackail-Smith, who pulled out with a back injury. Mackail-Smith has returned to his club after not being fit enough for a place on the bench during the 2-2 draw against the Czechs in Glasgow.

First-choice striker Kenny Miller is suspended after being booked on Saturday. Midfielder Scott Brown is also out through suspension but full-back Steven Whittaker returns after a ban.

Levein recalled Blackburn defender Grant Hanley to his squad on Sunday evening after he recovered from the tonsillitis which had seen him sent home.

Phil Bardsley looks set to recover from the calf problem that forced him off in the 75th minute on Saturday, before the Czechs scored their first equaliser.

Levein has just two realistic options for the lone striker role against Lithuania - David Goodwillie and Steven Naismith. Blackburn striker Goodwillie was an unused substitute on Saturday and his only international appearance came as a 76th-minute replacement in the friendly win over the Faroe Islands last year.

Naismith played in midfield at the weekend but was short of his best after taking painkillers to overcome his own hip complaint. However the Rangers player has ample experience of playing up front at club level. Scotland must also assess the fitness of Alan Hutton and Darren Fletcher after their opening first-team games of the season.

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