Scotland manager Steve Clarke is considering “all options” after losing “pivot” striker Lyndon Dykes to injury.
Dykes was carried off on a stretcher during training on Friday and has since been ruled out for Euro 2024 with less than two weeks before Scotland open the tournament against hosts Germany on June 14.
The QPR striker scored nine goals in 36 international caps and was often the focal point of Clarke’s attack.
This setback leaves Scotland only Che Adams And Lawrence Shankland as a recognized centre-forward in their 27-man squad, which is to be reduced to 26 after their final warm-up match against Finland on Friday evening.
Che Adams and Lyndon Dykes played the majority of Scotland’s matches.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference in Portugal ahead of Monday’s friendly against Gibraltar, Clarke said: “I’ve given myself two or three days just to think about it.
“There is no comparable replacement for Lyndon because he brings his own qualities. I don’t really believe in the equalizer. Lyndon brings his qualities, obviously we don’t have them.
“I’ll take a little look at what’s going on, decide what to do with the team and we’ll go from there.”
Asked if he would bring in another striker, Clarke replied: “That’s why I’m thinking about it.”
“Dykes was a key player”
Dykes featured in all eight of Scotland’s qualifying matches, starting five and scoring once.
“We are all very disappointed for Lyndon,” Clarke added. “The boys who got injured earlier have a little more time to recover from it. Lyndon’s is just at the last minute before going to the tournament.
Dykes scored nine goals in 36 international appearances and was often the focal point of the Scottish attack.
“And he’s been a good player for us, a key player. One of the best phone conversations I ever had was when I rang him and gave him the opportunity to come and play for Scotland rather than for Australia. Fortunately, he chose us.
“That was four years ago and I think the path the national team has taken since then is mainly an upward trend.
“(I’m) grateful for what he’s done so far, sad that he’s missing this tournament, but I look forward to working with him again in the future.
“It was an ankle injury. No contact, just the way he landed, the way he fell on it. It happens unfortunately. Earlier in the session, Lyndon did a similar move and nothing happened. happened. It’s just like that.
“You have to be quite resilient as a coach, manager and player and realize that things move forward, and that’s what we did.”
Steve Clarke has named a provisional squad of 27 players
Clarke previously hinted he would turn to Scotland U21s. team if late orders were necessary.
This could put Tommy Conway in pole position given the Bristol City striker is in Scot Gemmill’s squad ahead of a friendly in Turkey on Monday. The 21-year-old scored 12 goals for the Sky Bet Championship side last season.
Liverpool winger Ben Doak played a central attacking role for the Scotland Under-21s, but the 18-year-old’s campaign ended with a knee injury in December and he is still getting back up to speed.
Clarke is also considering other scenarios.
“Maybe, but not necessarily, that’s what I would do,” he said. “It’s something we think about all the time.
“We like to have a link with the young Scottish team. I like to show that there is a route to the A team from the U21s.
“But obviously you have to consider all options and that’s what I will.”
Scott McTominay will not play for Scotland against Gibraltar
In the meantime, Stuart Armstrong, Scott McTominay And John Soutar will not feature for Scotland on Monday evening.
Manchester United midfielder McTominay went off just 25 minutes after coming on as a substitute in the FA Cup final victory over Manchester City last weekend.
Southampton’s Armstrong has not played since being stretchered off last month, while centre-back Souttar has missed Rangers’ final three games of the season.
Boss Clarke said: “Stuart Armstrong, Scott McTominay and John Souttar won’t play this game but I’m pretty confident they will all be good for the next game.
“For me it’s an opportunity to get a few minutes on the pitch for some players, maybe a bit of an unfamiliar lineup in terms of who starts the game.
“We still have one or two people coming back from long-term injuries, so we’re being careful to manage the minutes.
“It’s a little balancing act to make sure you get a good performance and a good result.
“Some of them maybe didn’t get the minutes they wanted towards the end of the club’s season, so hopefully we can give them a few that will put them on notice for the tournament. -even.”
Greg Taylor And Scott McKenna joined the team after additional leave.
Scotland’s warm-up matches
Monday 3rd june : Gibraltar v Scotland
Friday June 7: Scotland vs Finland
Scotland’s Euro 2024 group stage matches
Friday June 14 – Group A: Germany vs Scotland (Allianz Arena, Munich)
Wednesday June 19 – Group A: Scotland vs Switzerland (RheinEnergie Stadium, Cologne)
Sunday June 23 – Group A: Scotland v Hungary (MHPArena, Stuttgart)
The first two in each group as well as the four best third-placed teams qualify.
