Matteo's injury setback

Scotland's World Cup preparations have suffered a setback with Leeds United's Dominic Matteo set to pull out through injury.

Scotland's World Cup preparations have suffered a setback with Leeds United's Dominic Matteo set to pull out through injury.

The former Liverpool player sustained an ankle injury during his side's victory over Tottenham on Saturday and looks set to miss out on his first cap. The Dumfries-born defender will report today, but is not expected to be fit to play.

The Leeds defender Lucas Radebe has withdrawn from the South Africa squad to face France in a friendly on Saturday. Radebe was concussed during Saturday's win.

Middlesbrough's Christian Karembeu has been called up to the French squad, while his team-mate Curtis Fleming has been drafted into the Republic of Ireland squad for the World Cup qualifiers against Portugal and Estonia.

Manchester United's goalkeeper Mark Bosnich has withdrawn from Australia's squad for the Four Nations Cup in Dubai.

Bosnich, who was on the bench for Sunday's defeat at Arsenal, was picked by the Socceroos coach, Frank Farina. But after talking with Bosnich, who is in the middle of divorce proceedings, Farina has instead called up Frank Juric.

Eddie Niedzwiecki, who was blocked from working with Wales by Gianluca Vialli, is back on Mark Hughes' coaching team following Vialli's sacking by Chelsea. The former Welsh international will resume his partnership with Hughes, but not as his assistant manager, as Mark Bowen retains that position.