O'Connor has scored four goals in 16 appearances for Scotland

LITHUANIA v SCOTLAND - European Championship Qualifier
Venue: Darius Girenas Stadium, Kaunas Date: Friday, 3 September Kick-off: 1915 BST Coverage: BBC ONE Scotland, BBC Radio Scotland and BBC Sport website

Scotland manager Craig Levein has called up Jay McEveley and Garry O'Connor for the Euro 2012 qualifiers against Lithuania and Liechtenstein.

Birmingham striker O'Connor comes in after Chris Iwelumo withdrew and with concerns over Steven Fletcher's fitness for Friday's opening game in Kaunas.

Barnsley's McEveley is in as full-backs Lee Wallace and Kevin McNaughton both suffered injuries.

Rangers defender Andy Webster also pulled out of the squad on Monday.

Levein, who is preparing for his first competitive match, has already lost number one goalkeeper Craig Gordon to a broken arm, midfielder Kevin Thomson to a broken leg and defender Gary Caldwell, who had two hip operations during the summer.

Barnsley centre forward Iwelumo misses both matches with a hamstring injury, along with Hearts defender Wallace, who sat out Sunday's 1-1 draw with Dundee United due to bruising on a bone in his ankle.

MY SPORT: DEBATE Give your reaction to Scotland's injury problems

Cardiff's McNaughton may have a chance of facing Lichtenstein at Hampden next Tuesday.

The blow of losing Wallace and McNaughton has been softened by the surprise news that Tottenham's Alan Hutton has a chance of playing.

Hutton has not been involved for his club this season but could well win his 16th cap in Kaunas if he can prove his fitness.

"He has never missed a training session and in fact is looking really sharp and quick for the operation he had on his hernia not so long ago," said assistant manager Peter Houston.

"He has been buzzing and it was him who said he was desperate to be here.

"People in the newspapers were maybe ruling him out but he is very, very keen and in training he looks as if he has never had any operation in the last few weeks."

Wallace was the only recognised left-back listed in Levein's original squad for the double-header and his absence is likely to mean a switch from the right for one of Rangers duo Steven Whittaker and Kirk Broadfoot or a fourth cap for the left-sided McEveley, who first represented Scotland in a 3-1 win over Lithuania at Hampden in 2007.

O'Connor, who has scored four international goals, last wore the blue of Scotland as a late substitute in last September's World Cup qualifying loss to the Netherlands.

The 27-year-old former Hibernian striker missed the majority of last season after undergoing two hip operations.

However, Birmingham gave him a new six-month deal in July, with an option for a further six months if he proves his fitness, and he has been an unused substitute for his club in their opening two league matches this term.

"Jay McEveley came in and trained well, Garry trained as well, looking really sharp and bright and desperate to be here," added Houston.

"That's the main thing, the squad are very, very keen and just want to get out there and do their very best.

"Garry is a Premiership footballer, he wouldn't be playing there if he wasn't good enough."

With Wolves' Fletcher an injury doubt for Friday, O'Connor joins Kris Boyd and Kenny Miller as Levein's centre forward options.

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version