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Page last updated at 10:38 GMT, Tuesday, 22 March 2011

Scotland lose Bardsley, Naismith for Brazil friendly

International friendly: Brazil v Scotland
Venue: Emirates Stadium, London Date: Sunday 27 March Kick-off: 1400 BST
Coverage: BBC Sport website, BBC Radio Scotland 810MW

Scotland and Sunderland full-back Phil Bardsley
Bardsley featured in the 3-0 win over Northern Ireland in February

Sunderland full-back Phil Bardsley has pulled out of the Scotland squad for Sunday's friendly with Brazil.

Bardsley did not travel with the squad when they left for a five-day gathering in La Manga and, after his knee injury assessed, will now miss the match.

Rangers' Steven Naismith withdrew due to injury problems after Sunday's Co-operative Insurance Cup final win.

Kilmarnock goalkeeper Cammy Bell has been called up to replace Everton's Iain Turner.

Bell recently lost his place in the Killie team to Anssi Jaakkola but will join fellow keepers Craig Gordon and Allan McGregor in the national squad.

Celtic skipper Scott Brown travels to La Manga after pulling up with an injury during his side's defeat to Rangers at Hampden.

Meanwhile, West Brom midfielder James Morrison is determined to feature next weekend, despite needing stitches after a clash of heads during his side's 2-2 draw with Arsenal.

"You don't often get the chance to play against Brazil and test yourself against them," he told his club website.

Houston hopes to avoid more call-offs

"I think there are eight or ten stitches in my head. It hurt like hell but you get them in football."

Captain Darren Fletcher misses out through injury and striker Kenny Miller may retain the armband after leading the side to a 3-0 victory over Northern Ireland last month.

Miller is playing for Bursaspor in Turkey on Monday evening and will fly out to Spain after the match, while Murray Davidson must get through St Johnstone's Scottish Cup replay with Brechin on Tuesday.

The absence of Naismith leaves Scotland light on forward options, with Miller the only recognised striker in the squad.

"We've got plenty of days before the weekend, in case we need to bring anybody else in," said assistant manager Peter Houston.

The Dundee United boss revealed that the players will be afforded some leisure time on Monday and Tuesday before getting down to the business of taking on Brazil.

"At this time of the season, players have played a lot of games and done an awful lot of work, so we'll look after them over the first few days," he explained.

"But, from Wednesday onwards, we will build towards trying to get a good result against Brazil."


Scotland squad

Goalkeepers: Gordon (Sunderland), McGregor (Rangers), Bell (Kilmarnock)
Defenders: Berra (Wolverhampton Wanderers), G Caldwell (Wigan), Crainey (Blackpool), Hanley (Blackburn Rovers), Hutton (Tottenham Hotspur), Whittaker (Rangers), D Wilson (Liverpool), M Wilson (Celtic)
Midfielders: Adam (Blackpool), Bannan (Aston Villa), Brown (Celtic), Commons (Celtic), Cowie (Watford), Davidson (St Johnstone), McArthur (Wigan Athletic), Morrison (West Brom)
Forwards: Maguire (Aberdeen), Miller (Bursaspor), Snodgrass (Leeds United)



see also
Chris McLaughlin's La Manga diary
22 Mar 11 |  Scotland
Bannan eager to tackle Brazilians
21 Mar 11 |  Scotland
Injury-hit Gordon gets Scots call
17 Mar 11 |  Scotland
Keeper merits start - Killie boss
17 Mar 11 |  Kilmarnock
No Robinho for Scotland friendly
03 Mar 11 |  Scotland
Scotland confirm Brazil friendly
15 Feb 11 |  Scotland


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FROM OTHER SPORT SITES
Telegraph Scotland v Brazil: Phil Bardsley to miss Emirates friendly with knee injury - 58 mins ago
The Scotsman Scotland v Brazil: Phil Bardsley pulls out of injury-hit squad - 1 hr ago
Kilmarnock FC 22.03.2011 Five Killie Stars Called up for Their National Teams - 3 hrs ago
Eat Sleep Sport West Bromwich Albion: Albion ace defies docs orders - 3 hrs ago
Football365.com MORRISON DEFIES DOCTOR'S ORDERS - 4 hrs ago


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