Midfielder Erin Cuthbert has not traveled with the team to face the Netherlands in Friday’s Women’s Nations League encounter, according to Scotland head coach Pedro Martinez Losa.
Prior to playing her international teammates in the doubleheader against the Netherlands earlier this week, the Chelsea midfielder “picked up a problem”.
However, the Spaniard feels that her absence gives the team “new opportunities to explore other options” when they play the sixth-best team in Europe.
Cuthbert, 25, who is yet to feature in this campaign is “desperate” to be with her country and, will “potentially” be available for the return leg against the Dutch at Hampden Park on Tuesday night, the head coach added.
Team news
Scotland are already without Real Madrid’s Caroline Weir, Bayern Munich’s Sam Kerr and Manchester United’s Emma Watson in midfield due to injury.
Manchester City goalkeeper Sandy MacIver and Jenny Smith of Celtic are involved in their first international camp, while Rangers striker Kirsty Howat is yet to make her debut after receiving her first call-up late in the last camp in September.
West Ham winger Lisa Evans is in line to earn her 100th cap.
Andries Jonker’s Dutch side are fuelled by the return of star striker Vivianne Miedema. The Arsenal forward, who is her country’s record goalscorer, returned from a serious knee ligament on Sunday against Bristol City.
How the group stands
The Scots sit bottom of the League A section with one point, earned in dramatic fashion last time out. Sophie Howard’s 94th-minute header secured a point against Belgium at Hampden.
That draw came after an impressive showing in defeat against World Cup finalists England.
The second half of the game in particular provided Martinez Losa with the evidence that his group, who have missed out on the last two major tournaments, can compete with the best nations in the world.
“We have a long journey now of being consistent in performance and competing against big teams. We know we will do it again [against the Netherlands],” he said.
The Dutch are second in the group with three points beating England – managed by Dutchwoman Sarina Wiegman – 2-1 with a 90-minute winner on matchday two.
What they said
Scotland head coach Pedro Martinez Losa: “Missing the players that we are missing, we are fighting and making sure that they can all come back with the team and remember they have been part of the journey.
“This is an excellent opportunity to compete against one of the best sides in Europe. This is an incredible scenario where we want to be tested.”
Scotland forward Amy Gallacher: “There is a real confidence in the team that we can take on any opponent. The squad has a lot of belief, nothing fazes us.”
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