Scotland boss Gordon Strachan is facing a mounting defensive headache ahead of Friday night’s fixture following more call-offs.
Left-backs Danny Fox and Lee Wallace have now both been forced out of this week’s qualifier in Zagreb through injury, joining the likes of Gary Caldwell, Charlie Mulgrew, Scott Brown, James Forrest and Liam Bridcutt on the sidelines.
And that means Strachan’s already-depleted defensive options have been further limited as they prepare to face a Croatia side gunning for goals.
Motherwell’s Stevie Hammell, who has just one cap to his name, has already been called up as backup and linked up with the other recognised defenders in the squad namely Alan Hutton, Steven Whittaker, Andy Webster, Grant Hanley, Russell Martin and the uncapped Gordon Greer, who has joined the squad after a bout of tonsilitis.
There was a further injury scare yesterday when Hanley rolled his ankle in training, although coach Stuart McCall believes the centre-back will be fine.
“We’ll have a full complement to do 11 v 11 before we go out to Croatia and we’ll look at certain things and how the manager wants to go about it,” he said.
Meanwhile, striker Leigh Griffiths has been passed fit to travel with the squad tomorrow despite picking up a calf injury in Hibs’ Scottish Cup final defeat to Celtic.
Revised Scotland squad: Goalkeepers: Matt Gilks (Blackpool), David Marshall (Cardiff City), Allan McGregor (Besiktas).
Defenders: Gordon Greer (Brighton & Hove Albion), Steven Hammell (Motherwell), Grant Hanley (Blackburn Rovers), Alan Hutton (Real Mallorca), Russell Martin (Norwich City), Andy Webster (Hearts), Steven Whittaker (Norwich City)
Midfielders: Stuart Armstrong (Dundee United), Barry Bannan (Aston Villa), Chris Burke (Birmingham City), Craig Conway (Cardiff City), Ryan Jack (Aberdeen), Gary Mackay-Steven (Dundee United), James McArthur (Wigan Athletic), James Morrison (West Bromwich Albion), Robert Snodgrass (Norwich City)
Forwards: Leigh Griffiths (Hibernian), Steven Naismith (Everton), Jordan Rhodes (Blackburn Rovers), Tony Watt (Celtic).