Elliot Anderson withdraws from Scotland squad ahead of Cyprus qualifier

Elliot Anderson has withdrawn from the Scotland squad for the matches against Cyprus and England through injury.

The 20-year-old Newcastle midfielder had earned a call-up to Scotland’s senior squad for the first time after coming off the bench in the English Premier League side’s first four games of the season.

Anderson trained with the squad early in the week but felt a knock and the decision was taken to let him return to his club rather than take the long flight to Cyprus for Friday’s Euro 2024 qualifier.

Manager Steve Clarke had said he was delighted to include Anderson in the group for this week’s international camp after discussions with him and his family.

Anderson, who was born in Whitley Bay but has a Scottish grandmother, had played for Scotland at youth level but switched to England Under-19s.

Eligible to play for both nations, he returned to Scotland Under-21s last year for one game but then delayed making any further decision on his allegiance.

Speaking after he named his squad last week Clarke said: “Elliot has been through the under-age groups with Scotland, he is one we have had an eye on.

“He had a little think about choosing between Scotland and England. We had some good discussions with the boy and his family and he has chosen to come with us, which is good for us now and certainly good for us in the future.

“He has been with us in general. Obviously when you get to a certain stage in your career and you can see your career is starting to take off, which Elliot’s is at Newcastle…We have got some great reports from people within the club at Newcastle, which is good to hear.

“Then you have to make that choice. Elliot was born in England, he has got decisions to make, and we are just happy he has come down on our side.

“He has been involved in the under-age, he has played in the under-21s, so he has chosen to stay with us and hopefully that turns out to be a good decision for Elliot and ourselves.

“I think it shows how well the boys that I have been picking on a regular basis have done. Qualification for Euro 2020 and obviously we are looking to qualify for another major tournament this time, and we hope we can continue to improve.

“I have always tried to look down towards the under-age groups, the under-21s, to try to give a pathway so that we are not just having a squad for now but looking to build a squad that will carry us through not just the next tournament but the tournament after that and the tournament after that. Elliot is part of that process.”