Brentford handed fresh Aaron Hickey injury concern after Scotland setback | OneFootball

Bees wait to learn severity of knee issue after full-back forced off against Greece

Aaron Hickey is a major doubt for Scotland’s World Cup qualifier against Belarus after tweaking a knee problem in their 3-1 win over Greece.

Hickey, who returned to the Scotland team for the first time in two years, was replaced after 58 minutes at Hampden on Thursday, having received treatment on the pitch.

The Brentford right-back has only just returned from a near two-year lay-off with a serious hamstring problem.

Scotland manager Steve Clarke downplayed the severity of Hickey’s injury but admitted he would be calling up two more players ahead of Sunday’s game against Belarus.

Hickey has only just returned from a near two-year lay-off with a serious hamstring problem

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“Lewis Ferguson and Ryan Christie both miss out. Aaron Hickey has picked up a small injury so I've got a bit of thinking to do,” Clarke said.

“We’ll deal with it. We’ve got two vacancies in the squad so I’ll have a look around to see who I can bring in that might help us on Sunday against Belarus.”

Hickey made his first Premier League start since October 2023 during Brentford’s 3-1 win over Manchester United and played the full 90 as the Bees were beaten 1-0 by Manchester City last weekend.

Keith Andrews has been careful not to rush Hickey, who signed a new long-term contract in January, back to action and he will be hoping his injury does not keep him out of Brentford’s trip to West Ham.

After a summer of upheaval on and off the pitch, Brentford find themselves in 16th place having won two of their opening seven Premier League games.

Hickey has made seven appearances in all competitions for Brentford this season and scored during their Carabao Cup victory over Aston Villa.

Scotland, meanwhile, remain in contention to qualify for their first World Cup since 1998 following their win over Greece.

Scotland are behind Group C leaders Denmark on goal difference with three games to play and can secure a play-off spot on Sunday by beating Belarus, if Greece lose to Denmark.

To qualify automatically Scotland would need to finish ahead of Denmark on points, who they meet at Hampden in November in their final qualifier.