Belgian tester for injury-hit Scotland

SCOTLAND will start tonight’s friendly against Belgium with at least one uncapped player – and possibly more – in the side following a spate of injuries.

Nine outfield players, including star midfielder Kim Little and three central defenders, were left out of the trip to Leuven.

Chelsea teenager Erin Cuthbert, didn’t travel either as she was captain of the Scotland under-19 side which qualified for their Euro finals by winning all three elite round matches last week.

Anna Signeul’s biggest problem is in the centre of defence, where none of the three options to partner Ifeoma Dieke has ever featured in a match squad before, far less played in one.

Nevertheless, the head coach is pleased with what she has seen in training, and even believes there is an upside to the injury crisis.

“The players who have come in have all competed very well in the training sessions,” Signeul said. “You can feel they are really keen to show they should be in the squad for the Euros.”

English-born Vaila Barsley probably has a slight edge over Celtic captain Kelly Clark and Hoffenheim’s Sophie Howard in the contest to partner Dieke.

The 29-year-old is the most experienced and also captain of top Swedish side Eskilstuna United, who knocked Glasgow City out of last season’s Champions League.

At 6ft, her height is also a huge advantage and she scored nine goals, all from headers, in her second season in Sweden.