Quashie '50-50' for Scotland

Nigel Quashie is rated no better than 50-50 by Scotland manager Walter Smith for tomorrow’s make-or-break World Cup qualifier against Norway.

The Southampton midfielder – part of Smith’s favoured midfield quartet of Quashie, captain Barry Ferguson, Darren Fletcher and Paul Hartley – missed last night’s training after being taken off during the weekend draw with Italy.

But Smith is desperate to keep the four together so will not make a decision until tomorrow.

“We only have Nigel Quashie as a doubt,” said Smith.

“He took a knock on his hip and his knee and it won’t be until tomorrow whether we know he is going to be fit or not.

“His chances are probably 50-50 at the present moment as both knocks are causing a bit of bruising. I won’t be risking him. He’ll have to be fit to play.

“It is frustrating because I’ve got my midfield together for the first time against Italy and I was hoping for some continuity there so that would be disappointing.”

Ferguson and Fletcher, as well as Jackie McNamara, also sat out the session but they were just rested as a precaution.

And Smith will bring back influential Hearts defender Steven Pressley for the suspended Christian Dailly following his booking at Hampden Park on Saturday.

He added: “Christian being out is not a problem as I’ve got Steven Pressley coming back into the squad after suspension so he can fill that gap there.”