Matt Scott, "a special kid and a special player" according to national coach Scott Johnson, will miss the rest of the autumn series after it was confirmed the Edinburgh centre had fractured a hand during last Saturday's 42-17 victory over Japan at Murrayfield.
Scott, 23, will also have to sit out his club's back-to-back Heineken Cup matches with Gloucester next month. The initial prognosis was of a six-week recuperation period and if that proves accurate then he could just be back in action for the inter-city derby matches against Glasgow over the festive season.
Scott's injury, which was sustained during one of the final plays of the match against Japan, was examined by consultant hand surgeon Doug Campbell at the SPIRE hospital in Leeds, who confirmed the extent of the damage. However, no surgery is required.
Of the others on Scotland's casualty list, head knock victims Ryan Grant and Al Kellock are progressing well within the guidelines of the return-to-play protocols that govern concussive injuries. However, a number of other players have also had their training limited, and Johnson has bolstered his squad accordingly.
Those who have been restricted include Duncan Weir (groin), Greig Laidlaw (calf) and Tim Swinson (shoulder). As a result, Edinburgh quartet Lee Jones, Jack Cuthbert, Ross Rennie and Sam Hidalgo-Clyne have been brought into the squad, as have Glasgow duo Jon Welsh and Byron McGuigan.
Also added is Steve McColl, Leeds' free-scoring full-back and last season's player of the year at the Yorkshire club. McColl has revived his career in England since being rejected by Edinburgh a few seasons ago.
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