Steve Clarke Facing Selection DILEMMA With Up to FIVE Stars Potentially Missing Out

Ahead of Tonight's all-important UEFA Nations League game against Ukraine, Steve Clarke is facing a selection headache, with up to 5 players facing missing the clash in Poland, due to a sickness bug spreading amongst the squad.

[Frontman Lyndon Dykes is a doubt for tonight's game - Image: Craig Foy/SNS Group]

Lyndon Dykes and Stuart Armstrong have both missed training, with striker partner Che Adams, Ryan Fraser, and Greg Taylor also struck down with the bug. A few Clarke's backroom staff members and other players have also been hit, with many "feeling under the weather".

It is said that this illness had hit the squad before the Ireland game, with Fraser spending much of the night before up sick. He went on to feature in the victory over Ireland, lending some positive news for Scotland fans.

Che Adams remains defiant that he will be fit for the game, and all of the above players have travelled to Poland for the top-of-the-table Group B1 tie with Ukraine. All going well, no players should miss out but calls will be made closer to the time.

Regardless of if the aforementioned players do miss out, this illness has already wrecked Clarke's pre-game preparation, combined with an injury list that is already as long as his arm - the Scotland boss claims he has already lost up to 16 players for tonight's game, with notable injuries to Andy Robertson and Kieran Tierney, as well as 5 players already having to drop out from the squad since the 3-0 victory over Ukraine.

Clarke will have to make a late call on young full-back Aaron Hickey, who was substituted with an injury problem against Ireland, whilst the Brentford man has trained, it is looking like he will miss out, with Celtic Right Back Anthony Ralston ready to step in, in his place. Hellas Verona's Josh Doig is waiting in the wings should opposite Full Back Greg Taylor miss out.

Tonight's game is a massive one for Scotland. As it stands, they top the group with 12 points, with second-placed Ukraine sitting on 10 as the only team who can catch the Tartan Army. Scotland needs to at the very least avoid defeat to win the group and be promoted to Group A, along with Europe's finest teams - as well as the added bonus of leapfrogging England, who were recently relegated.

Steve Clarke will hope that he can have as close to a full-strength side as possible from the players available to him, and hopefully continue that winning run of form, with his Scotland side winning 8 of their last 10 competitive fixtures.