Withdrawals hit Scotland plans

Craig Levein has been hit by three definite withdrawals from his Scotland squad for the Carling Nations Cup game against Northern Ireland in Dublin on Wednesday night.

There is no surprise that Rangers midfielder Lee McCulloch was confirmed as having pulled out with the knee injury which caused him to miss Sunday's Old Firm Scottish Cup fifth-round clash at Ibrox which ended in a 2-2 draw.

However, Manchester United midfielder Darren Fletcher (ankle and eye socket) and West Brom's Graham Dorrans (ankle) have also pulled out, while there are doubts over Gary Caldwell.

The Wigan defender has a cheekbone injury but will join up with the squad to be assessed.

Caldwell's brother and club team-mate, Steven Caldwell, and James McArthur, also from Wigan, have been called up as replacements.

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