Steve Clarke’s striker struggles with shot-shy Scotland stars

STEVE CLARKE is facing a striker crisis for next week’s Nations League double-header.

Che Adams is receiving intensive treatment on a thigh injury after limping off early in Torino’s 1-0 home defeat by Fiorentina on Sunday.

4

4

Scotland boss Clarke’s other options in attack are badly off form.

Lyndon Dykes has just two goals for League One side Birmingham City this season, while Hearts skipper Lawrence Shankland has netted just once in 16 games.

Tommy Conway has scored four goals for Middlesbrough, but the 22-year-old has less than 45 minutes of international experience in two sub appearances.

With Adams rated a major doubt for Saturday’s Turin derby against Juventus, though, it could leaves Clarke facing a major decision for the Hampden game with Croatia next Friday and the trip to Poland three days later.

He said: “Che picked up an injury on Sunday. It will be scanned and assessed by his club and we’ll find out later in the week whether or not he’ll join up with us.

“But I’ve got four forwards in the squad, so we’re well covered in that department.”

Clarke will look to boost Shankland’s confidence when the squad meet up next week.

He said: “I haven’t spoken to him, but I will when he comes into the camp.

“He pulled out of the last one with a slight hamstring injury, so he wasn’t involved too much.

“But I’ll have a good chat with him this time and tell him I still love him.

“I think I’ve shown I’m quite loyal to players that have been good for the country and Lawrence has been good for us.

“He’s having a tougher time this season, but that happens.

“What you’ve got to do is dig in and work hard, you’ve got to come through it.

“At this time, he probably needs people to show a little bit of faith in him.

4

“Hopefully, he’ll get the rewards of that and we might get the rewards as well.”

Clarke has named Ipswich keeper Cieran Slicker in his 25-man squad for the first time, with Angus Gunn out injured.

But there was no place for Celtic winger James Forrest, who withdrew from the September and October double-headers.

Clarke added: “I think the boys that played last month did well.

“Obviously James pulled out of the squad with a slight injury and Ben Doak got his chance and took it quite well, so I’ll stick with Ben.”

SQUAD: Craig Gordon (Hearts), Robby McCrorie (Kilmarnock), Cieran Slicker (Ipswich); Nicky Devlin (Aberdeen), Grant Hanley (Norwich), Jack Hendry (Al-Ettifaq), Scott McKenna (Las Palmas), Ryan Porteous (Watford), Anthony Ralston (Celtic), Andy Robertson (Liverpool), John Souttar (Rangers), Greg Taylor (Celtic); Connor Barron (Rangers), Ryan Christie (Bournemouth), Ben Doak (Middlesbrough), Ryan Gauld (Vancouver Whitecaps), Billy Gilmour (Napoli), John McGinn (Aston Villa), Kenny McLean (Norwich), Scott McTominay (Napoli), Lewis Morgan (New York Red Bulls); Che Adams (Torino), Tommy Conway (Middlesbrough), Lyndon Dykes (Birmingham), Lawrence Shankland (Hearts).

Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page