Wales have named their squad for their crucial qualifying matches against Armenia and Turkey next week as they seek qualification for UEFA EURO 2024. Scotland, on the other hand, have four key absentees in defensive positions for their final qualifiers.
Tottenham Hotspur forward Brennan Johnson has been named in the 23-man party after missing the October international break due to injury.
Johnson joined Spurs for a fee of around £47.5 million on the final day of the summer transfer window a few months ago and the former Nottingham Forest man has been tasked with filling the boots of the now retired Gareth Bale.
Wales managed a surprise 2-1 defeat of Croatia last month which means they head into their final qualifiers with their destiny in their own hands.
Johnson’s Tottenham teammate, Ben Davies, will continue as the Welsh skipper in the absence of Aaron Ramsey as they face Armenia in Yerevan on Saturday 18th November before then playing against Turkey on Tuesday 21st November in Cardiff.
Scotland and Norwich City number one goalkeeper, Angus Gunn, will be missing from their final qualifiers against Georgia and Norway.
The Scots have already qualified for the tournament in Germany next summer but Gunn has a hamstring issue which keeps him out. Both Brentford defender Aaron Hickey and Kieran Tierney, on loan at La Liga side Real Sociedad, are also missing due to respective hamstring issues.
Captain Andrew Robertson required surgery on a shoulder injury he sustained in Scotland’s 2-0 defeat to Spain in Seville last month. He remains absent until the New Year.
Scotland, as mentioned, have qualified for the tournament as a result of Spain defeating Norway in Oslo last month. They finish their campaign with a game in Tbilisi against Georgia next Thursday before then hosting the Norwegians at Hampden Park three days later.
