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Scotland boss Alex McLeish has been handed a hammer blow as striker Steven Fletcher looks set to miss the country's crucial opening Euro qualifiers.

Fletcher was likely to regain his place at the top of the park, having impressed in the UEFA Nations League as the spearhead of Scotland 's attacking front three.

With Leigh Griffiths and Steven Naismith both unavailable, he looked likely to hold onto the number nine shirt having impressed after being brought back into the international fold.

(Image: Action Images via Reuters)

But he was forced off during Sheffield Wednesday's draw with Derby County after taking a knock to his knee and ankle.

His club manager Steve Bruce said after the match: "We don't know how bad it is until we get scans and x-rays. But it doesn't look good."

Fletcher, 31, has endured a rollercoaster career for Scotland, picking up 32 caps and scoring ten goals while exciting and frustrating the Tartan Army faithful in equal measure.

His absence will present an unwanted headache for Alex McLeish, who also looks set to be without defender Charlie Mulgrew who picked up a hamstring injury during Blackburn's loss to Preston.