Lyndon Dykes has left the Scotland camp after sustaining a training injury on Friday. During the first training session in preparation for Euro 2024 the striker got carried away on a stretcher with a leg injury.
The loss of the striker is a major blow to Steve Clark’s side. The absence of the Queens Park Rangers forward significantly reduces Scotland’s attacking options, leaving only Che Adams and Lawrence Shankland as centre-forwards.
The latest injury woe in the Scotland squad follows a series of injuree absentees. Brentford’s Aaron Hickey, fellow right-back Nathan Patterson of Everton and Bologna’s midfielder Lewis Ferguson were already out with an injury.
By 7 June manager Steve Clark will have to present his final 26 name squad for Euro 2024, requiring him to trim the provisional 28 squad list down by two players. The recent injury by Dykes will make the decision making process easier for the Scotland gaffer, but also reduces his forward options.
The absence of Dykes may open up the opportunity for youngster Ben Doak to get his first Scotland cap. The 18 year old Liverpool attacker only recently returned from a long term injuree himself, but has a significant chance at being given play time now the attacking positions are thinly manned.
Tomorrow Scotland will kick-off its friendly against Gibraltar at 5:00 PM. The friendly at the Estadio Algarve in Portugal will be broadcast live on Premier Sports. In preparation for Euro 2024’s opening game on 14 June against Germany the Tartan Army will also face Finland on 7 June.
