Preparations for George Burley's first game in charge of Scotland have been hit by the withdrawals of five players, including skipper Barry Ferguson.

Ferguson will play no part in Wednesday's friendly against Croatia at Hampden Park as he rests a long standing ankle injury.

And the Rangers midfielder's club-mates Lee McCulloch, Christian Dailly and Allan McGregor have also pulled out of the squad along with Derby midfielder Stephen Pearson.

Ferguson has been suffering with an ankle complaint for several weeks and only played in Rangers' win over Hibernian at the weekend with the aid of a pain killing injection.

Having already seen a specialist in England last week, Ferguson decided to opt out of the clash with Croatia with one eye on next weekend's crunch Old Firm derby.

McCulloch joins him on the sidelines with a thigh injury which flared up following the weekend's action while an X-ray has revealed Dailly is suffering from a broken toe.

The reasons for McGregor and Pearson's withdrawals are not yet clear.

Cardiff midfielder Gavin Rae has been called up to join Burley's squad.

Mike Hytner / Eurosport