Call-offs warned they might lose jerseys

Oliver Burke has warned Scotland’s no-shows they may find someone has pinched their slot when they finally rejoin Steve Clarke’s squad.

The Scots suffered a fresh blow this week as they prepare to bring the curtain down on a disastrous Euro 2020 qualifying campaign with two dead rubbers against Cyprus and Kazakhstan after skipper Andy Robertson, Scott Mctominay, Ryan Fraser and Liam Cooper were all ruled out through injury.

The call-offs sparked a fresh round of debate over the level of commitment being shown to the national team but Alaves forward Burke has no doubt his absent colleagues are genuinely unfit.

However, he warned that there will be plenty of others looking to snatch the positions left vacant.

While Liverpool star Robertson is a certainty to reclaim his slot if he makes himself available for March’s Nations League play-offs – which offer a wild card ticket to next summer’s finals – Kirkcaldyborn Burke will be looking to oust Bournemouth wideman Fraser by impressing during the upcoming double-header.

He said: “It’s very disappointing if a player pulls out of a squad when he’s not injured and is maybe prioritising his club.

“But I wouldn’t see (this week’s calloffs) as that.”

“It’s unfortunate that players can’t make the squad because of injuries but that’s part of football.

“The players here have to come together now, work hard and maybe they can cement their spot – it’s not always a good thing if you do have to pull out.”

The next two games offers Burke the opportunity to wrack up some muchneeded minutes.

Since his £15 million switch to West Brom from German outfit RB Leipzig in 2017, he has made just 20 appearances for the Baggies.

A loan stint at Celtic last season offered some more regular action but he has again found himself mostly used as a substitute since being farmed out to his current La Liga side.

The 22-year-old former Nottingham Forest winger admits the nomadic existence that has seen him clock up six clubs already in his short career is starting to bring him down.

But he is refusing to give up hope that he can find somewhere to call a permanent home in the near future despite his recent travails.

“It’s been really frustrating not actually staying at one club and cementing a spot,” he explained.

“I’d love to be at a club where I’m the first name on the team sheet every week.

“But that will come with time.”