McFadden to avoid head-tennis elbow

Everton forward James McFadden has not given up hope of making a comeback from a broken foot in time for Scotland's crucial Euro 2008 qualifier in Italy - but he will not jeopardise his country's qualification hopes by returning from the injury too soon.

The 23-year-old suffered a fractured metatarsal while playing head-tennis at training and is touch-and-go to be fit in time for the match in Bari on March 28.

But McFadden said: "I've not given up hope of playing against Italy, although I'm not going to put stress upon myself to get back for it because that can only lead to disappointment."

He added: "I've got an outside chance of making the Italy game. I'm hopeful I can. There is nothing negative about the way I'm approaching my recovery but if I'm not ready, I'm not ready."

There is no doubt McFadden is one of the key players in the Scotland team and new manager Alex McLeish would benefit greatly from his presence in Italy.

But he added: "If I play in a reserve game and feel I'm a mile off the pace, then I'm not going to say I'm ready to play against Italy away in a game that's massive for us.

"If I'm fit, and the manager thinks I'm fit, and I'm honest with myself then I'll be ready to play, but I'm not going to kid anyone. No-one will benefit from me telling people I'm fit if I'm not.

"I've got a pin in it so it should be easier for me to return to training as I can put a bit more pressure on it sooner than if I didn't have a pin.

"If you have a pin you can go through the pain barrier because you know it's there and will help you. Because of the pin we can be a bit more aggressive and get back sooner than later."