SCOTLAND'S list of injuries and withdrawals turned into a litany only three days before the start of their World Cup mini series against Latvia and Estonia. With Everton's Duncan Ferguson already unavailable, another three forwards - Blackburn's Kevin Gallacher and the Rangers pair, Ally McCoist and Gordon Durie - were pulled out yesterday along with Gallacher's club mate, central defender Colin Hendry.

Hendry is to have a hernia operation today and is likely to be out for four weeks.

Durie and McCoist, who both missed Rangers' 2-0 victory over Celtic last weekend, were expected not to make it. but Gallacher arrived at Hampden Park yesterday afternoon to test his damaged hamstring. A short work out, overseen by the medical staff, was enough to confirm that he would not be ready for Saturday's match against Latvia or next Wednesday's in Estonia. He was sent home 30 minutes after his arrival.

Craig Brown, the national team manager, will decide today whether to bring in John McGinlay of Bolton or Doug Freedman of Crystal Palace. With the squad reduced from an original 24 to 20, he may summon both.

Brown seems likely to play Craig Burley of Chelsea in central defence alongside Colin Calderwood and Tom Boyd.