Slovakia vs Scotland - Scotland skipper Darren Fletcher ready to play through the pain barrier
Posted Tuesday, October 11, 2016 by PA
Scotland captain Darren Fletcher is willing to take a risk with his injured thigh in his desperation to face Slovakia on Tuesday night.
The West Brom midfielder won his 75th cap in the World Cup qualifier against Lithuania on Saturday but had to be replaced at the interval by James McArthur, who scored an 89th-minute equaliser to earn the home side a point in the 1-1 draw.
Scotland moved on to four points from two Group F games but the result at Hampden Park put them under pressure for the match against the Slovaks who have lost their opening two fixtures.
Fletcher, though, will do everything he can to help the cause.
"It's still a bit sore but it's progressed quite well," said the 32-year-old.
"I'm not going to train tonight because I don't want it to bleed again.
"I'm hoping that I wake up tomorrow and it's improved again and I'll go for a fitness test. Fingers crossed that I'm available for selection.
"Of course I'd risk it, but that's down to the manager as well if I'm able to play. I'm desperate to play.
"I've nothing to save myself for. Club games are important but representing your country is equally important.
"I don't look to protect myself, if I'm available to play and the manager selects me then I'll be out there doing my best."
Boss Gordon Strachan is encouraged that Fletcher is not yet ruled out.
He said: "It would be bad news if he wasn't going to have a fitness test but good news that he is going to have one.
"I actually thought it was a thigh strain at half-time, it was actually a knock.
"We will prepare a team with Darren in it and a team without Darren and put the final touches tomorrow."
Boss Jan Kozak wants his Slovakia side to get out of their World Cup qualifying mess with a much-needed win.
After two games the Slovaks have still not scored a goal and have no points after 1-0 defeats to England at home and Slovenia away.
Kozak hopes the turning point in the campaign will come against Strachan's side.
Speaking at the pre-match press conference, Kozak said: "If we want to have the hopes to qualify for the World Cup in 2018 we need to get some points in this match.
"We have got ourselves into this situation with two unnecessary defeats.
"I think we could have done more. So we need to win this match if we want to keep hopes of qualifying.
"But it is not easy to win matches at international level but as I said it is up to us to get out of this situation.
"We are at home and we will try to play more attacking football but we have to get a good balance between defence and attack."
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