No Scotland return for Ferguson

Scotland coach Berti Vogts today omitted Barry Ferguson from his squad for the end-of-season friendlies with Estonia and Trinidad and Tobago.

Vogts had been hoping to recall Ferguson to his squad for the first time since the Blackburn midfielder broke a kneecap against Newcastle in December.

But the German has been told by Rovers manager Graeme Souness that the 26-year-old requires another small operation which will put his rehabilitation on hold until the end of the month.

However, Vogts is confident the former Rangers player will be fit for the start of next season and Scotland’s World Cup qualifying games.

He said: “I spoke to Graeme Souness yesterday and he told me that Barry needs another small operation so he will not be back in full training by the end of May.

“However, I am confident that Barry will be with us for the game against Hungary in August and our opening World Cup qualifier in September against Slovenia.”

Vogts has stuck by the players who lost 1-0 in Denmark last week with just one addition. Sheffield United striker Andy Gray, who has scored regularly since moving to Bramall Lane in January, comes in.

Rob Douglas and Neil McCann both miss out through injuries but Celtic duo Stephen Pearson and Jackie McNamara are called up after missing out on the trip to Copenhagen.

There is also the prospect of Christian Dailly and Kevin Kyle missing the internationals if they are involved in Nationwide League promotion play-offs.

Scotland squad to face Estonia in Tallinn on May 27 and Trinidad & Tobago at Easter Road on May 30.

Gallacher (Dundee U), Gordon (Hearts), Shearer (Coventry), G Caldwell (Hibernian), S Caldwell (Newcastle), Crainey (Southampton), Dailly (West Ham), Mackay (Norwich), McNamara (Celtic), McNamee (Livingston), Pressley (Hearts), Webster (Hearts), Cameron (Wolves), Canero (Leicester), Fletcher (Man Utd), Holt (Norwich), Pearson (Celtic), Quashie (Portsmouth), Crawford (Dunfermline), Dickov (Leicester), Gray (Sheff Utd), Kyle (Sunderland), McFadden (Everton), Miller (Wolves), Thompson (Rangers)