GARY NAYSMITH is definitely out of Scotland's World Cup qualifying double header against Moldova and Belarus next month.
Although the Everton fullback was named in Walter Smith's 27-man squad for the Group 5 matches, the Merseyside club's physiotherapist Mick Rathbone contacted the Scotland boss week to confirm that the player will be unavailable for both games.
The 26-year-old's ankle injury has flared up again and his club manager David Moyes is awaiting a specialist's report on the damage.
The loss of Naysmith is a problem for Smith, as it deprives him of the only genuine left-back in the squad.
Jackie McNamara has experience in that position with Celtic, however, and is almost certain to be asked to fill that role, with either Graham Alexander of Preston North End or Gary Caldwell of Hibs taking the right-back slot.
Another hindrance is the fact that the participation of McNamara in the cup final, and Alexander in Preston's championship play-offs, will limit opportunities for this new look back four to train together.
David McNamee of Livingston would have been a contender for the right back berth but snapped his Achilles tendon against Kilmarnock yesterday and will be out for some months.
Nonetheless, Smith said: "I have brought in the boy Alexander from Preston. I know that he is a right-back but Jackie McNamara can move to the left.
"I have been down a couple of times and Alexander has been terrific. He is an experienced player, and when your experienced players are having the seasons they are having at present, you are happy to bring them in."
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