Duo Out Of Scotland Squad, But Good News For Cattermole

Sunderland duo Steven Fletcher and Phil Bardsley have been ruled out of this weeks friendly international against Luxembourg.

The game comes as Billy Stark's first, and potentially only game in charge of the Scottish national side, and will have to do without the services of the duo, although it's likely that only Fletcher would have featured form the outset.

It's a shame, but sensible that they've withdrawn from the game. On one hand it might have been a good game against Luxembourg for Fletcher. The striker might be short of confidence having gone on a mini-drought since his incredible form to start the season, and the minnows would represent a chance for him to hit the back of the net on several occasions.

On the the flip side though, it's even better for us that he's fit come next weekend's game against Fulham, as Fraizer Campbell and Louis Saha have looked poor in relief of our top goalscorer.

With regards to Bardsley, well I think we've made our point on numerous occasions that we're perfectly capable of playing without him, so you take your time Phil and get better properly.

In slightly better news though, Lee Cattermole should be back to full fitness soon after missing last weekend's game against Everton.

Only earlier in the day Martin O'Neill revealed more about why his captain missed our latest defeat, telling the club's official site;

Lee hurt himself on Friday. He hurt his knee in a training session and will have a scan at the beginning of the week.

However the man himself appears to have had some good news, as he Tweeted this evening;

Nice phone call off the club doc has made me a very happy lad this evening :) :) :)

Whilst we deplore such excessive use of the smiley faces. In fact any use for anyone who's not aged 10, it's still good to hear that it looks like he's going to be fit and raring to go very soon.