Scotland player ruled out of World Cup just days before Steve Clarke names squad

Scotland striker Tommy Conway has reportedly been ruled out of the World Cup.

The Middlesbrough striker left the pitch in tears on Tuesday as he was forced off in their 2-1 Championship play-off semi-final defeat to Southampton.

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Sky Sports report the 23-year-old saw a specialist on Friday and was told he needs surgery on the ankle injury.

Conway has scored 13 goals in the Championship for Boro this season.

Should Middlesbrough be reinstated to the play-off final, Kim Hellberg’s side will have to do it without the striker.

They are awaiting the results of an independent disciplinary commission following Southampton’s spying on their training session.

Boro have demanded the EFL expel the Saints from the Championship play-off final with Hull.

Who could replace Conway?

Conway has been in and out of the Scotland squad over the qualifying campaign.

However, he was selected for the March internationals in a sign that he could be headed to the USA, Canada and Mexico this summer.

Scotland boss Steve Clarke is expected to name his squad for this summer’s World Cup on Tuesday.

However, Conway is set to be excluded from the final 26-man team that Clarke will reveal.

Ironically, it will be Southampton and Hull City players who could benefit from Conway’s absence.

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Southampton’s Ross Stewart has eight goals in the Championship, but has not been called up for Scotland since 2022.

Oli McBurnie has been the man in form for Hull, scoring 17 times in the Championship campaign.

The 29-year-old has 16 caps for Scotland, without scoring, but the last of those came in 2021.

Neither will have the chance to impress Clarke one final time as the squad announcement comes before the play-off final.

Scotland at the World Cup

Scotland’s World Cup campaign kicks off against Haiti on June 14 in Boston.

Clarke’s side then face Morocco before finishing against Brazil on June 24.