SCOTLAND are monitoring the fitness Alan Hutton after the Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert confirmed the full-back is still sidelined through injury.

Hutton, 29, was a last-minute withdrawal for Monday's match at Queens Park Rangers, succumbing to an ankle knock in training that forced Matt Lowton to deputise in defence in the 2-0 defeat.

Despite almost a full week of training, Lambert confirmed that Hutton is still in discomfort ahead of Sunday's encounter against Tottenham. Medics have not put a time-frame on Hutton's return but, with just a 15 days until Scotland host Ireland in one of the key clashes of their Euro 2016 qualifying campaign, Gordon Strachan will be nervously eyeing the situation.

Meanwhile, Ireland have been boosted by the news that Darron Gibson should be fit to line up against the Scots.

With Wes Hoolahan out and Glenn Whelan remaining a serious doubt, despite being named in Martin O'Neill's 35-man preliminary squad, Ireland can scarcely afford any more midfield casualties.