Scotland concern over midfielders

Quashie has just been relegated with Southampton

Darren Fletcher and Nigel Quashie are doubtful for Scotland's World Cup qualifiers with Moldova and Belarus at the beginning of June.

Fletcher has a hamstring injury, while Quashie is to see a specialist about a knee problem.

Manager Walter Smith, who has called up Hibs captain Ian Murray, remains hopeful that the pair will play.

"If they miss the games, it will be a blow to us. Midfield is a position where I think we are strong," he said.

"If we do lose Darren Fletcher and Nigel Quashie we will be disappointed because they do supply a number of opportunities for us."

Fletcher is desperate to be fit after missing the defeat by Italy.

"If there is a chance that I can play, even if it (the injury) is still bothering me, then I will," he said.

"There is also the risk of damaging it a bit more but that is an assessment we are going to have to make.

"If I feel it is worth the risk then I will definitely take it. It will be a decision involving a lot of parties, including the managers and physios of both Scotland and Manchester United, but I think the final decision will be from myself."

A 17-man squad assembled on Tuesday for a three-day training stint.

But squad members involved in the play-offs in England and the Tennent's Scottish Cup final between Dundee United and Celtic on Saturday were not present.

Nor was Everton centre-back David Weir, who was unable to catch a flight up from Manchester in time.

Hibs captain Murray, 24, was called up after full-backs Gary Naysmith and David McNamee pulled out.

Scotland play Moldova at Hampden Park on Saturday, 4 June, then travel to Belarus for the last game of the season on Wednesday, 8 June.

Scotland must win both games to have any chance of reaching Germany 2006, having picked up just two points from the opening four qualifying games.

Scotland squad:

Goalkeepers Douglas (Celtic), Gordon (Hearts), Marshall (Celtic)
Defenders Alexander (Preston), G Caldwell (Hibernian), S Caldwell (Sunderland), McNamara (Celtic), Pressley (Hearts), Webster (Hearts), Weir (Everton), Dailly (West Ham), Murray (HIbernian)
Midfielders Ferguson (Rangers), Fletcher (Manchester United), Hartley (Hearts), McCann (Southampton), McCulloch (Wigan), O'Neil (Preston), Quashie (Southampton)
Strikers Crawford (Dundee United), McFadden (Everton), Miller (Wolves), Miller (Bristol City), O'Connor (Hibernian), Riordan (Hibernian), Thompson (Rangers)