GORDON Strachan has stressed he won’t jeopardise Robert Snodgrass’s fitness ahead of Scotland’s opening Russia 2018 qualifying matches later this year.
Strachan admitted he has been delighted to see Snodgrass make his return to action for Hull Tigers in the English Championship after spending 15 months on the sidelines with a knee injury.
The 28-year-old midfielder is certain to be included in one of the two squads the national coach will announce next week for the friendlies against the Czech Republic and Denmark next month.
However, the Scotland manager is wary of asking too much of the former Leeds United and Norwich City man, who was a key member of his side before he suffered a dislocated kneecap, too soon.
Elsewhere, Strachan has spoken of his disappointment at James McArthur being ruled out of for the remainder of the season after suffering ankle ligament damage playing for Crystal Palace.
He has also admitted he has been impressed by several young players in the 2014/15 campaign and could spring “one or two surprises” when he announces his squads for the games in Prague and Glasgow.
Speaking to scottishfa.co.uk, Strachan said: “I am absolutely delighted to see Snoddy back playing and making an impact for Hull
“We have kept in touch with him all the way through his rehabilitation and he has been around the squads: even during the hardest parts of his recovery he always arrived with a smile on his face and the rewards he is getting now back on the pitch are thoroughly deserved for what he’s had to contend with through injury.
“The most important thing is not to rush him – it’s far more important he is back to 100% for his club and ready for the start of the World Cup Qualifiers - but I know how enthusiastic he is and he makes a difference to our squad. I will keep in touch with Steve Bruce up until we announce the squad but if he thinks he is ready, and Robert does, too, then we will look forward to having him back.
“The flip-side is that we will not have James McArthur, who has had a really terrific season for Palace before his injury. He has really come of age this season as a Premier League player and, like Snoddy, I really cannot ask for more from James than he gives every time he joins up for international duty.”
Strachan will select two largely different Scotland squads for the games against the Czech Republic and Denmark and admitted some new faces would be involved in the national set-up if they continued to perform well.
“I want everybody who is involved in these matches to get some game time so for that reason we will select smaller squads than normal, but for those who may benefit from more than one game we can factor that in, too," he said.
“The important thing is to get the right balance for each squad but at this vital stage of the season at club level, it is also key to do what is right for each player and their individual circumstances.
“There have been some young players who have caught the eye this season and who have certainly put themselves in contention. I will speak to the Performance Director, Brian McClair, before we confirm anything because I’m aware Ricky [Sbragia] and Scot [Gemmill] have important Under-21s qualifiers and an Under-19 Elite Round at the same time.
“There may be one or two more surprises but that depends on how players perform over the next week to 10 days, when we will finalise the squads.”
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