As featured on NewsNow: Football news

Villa midfielder Bannan still not 100% for Scotland

Barry Bannan is not 100% ahead of tonight's meeting between Scotland and Spain in Alicante.

The Aston Villa midfielder received a nasty gash across the back of his leg in Friday's 1-0 win in Liechtenstein and has been unable to train since.

Scotland boss Craig Levein says he wants Bannan to be available but at this stage is unsure just how much of the final Euro2012 qualifier he will be able to play.

"The question for me is whether Bannan plays or not. He hasn't had a boot on yet because of this cut on the back of his heel," Levein said.

"Any rubbing will just open it up. So the doctor will have to try to come up with something that can prevent this rubbing.

"That is the medics' department. But Barry is going to put a boot on today and they will try to sort something out.

"I'm not sure if Barry will start but I want him to be available. The difficulty I've had since Saturday is trying to get a team - so many things are up in the air. If you have just one problem it can be quite easy but once you start to get two or three problems then it gets complicated.

"Bannan is one I am very much thinking of playing but I can't say for certain if he'll make it."

 Click here to reach the No1 destination for hard news and exciting gossip on Aston Villa

Video of the day:

Andrew Slevison
About the author

Andrew Slevison

×

Subscribe and go ad-free

For only $10 a year

  1. Go Ad-Free
  2. Faster site experience
  3. Support great writing
  4. Subscribe now
Launch Offer: 2 months free
×

Subscribe and go ad-free

For only $10 a year

Subscribe now
Launch Offer: 2 months free