McCormack in fitness race

Ross McCormack faces a battle to make Scotland's final World Cup qualifiers after being stretchered off with a hamstring injury during Cardiff's draw with Blackpool.

McCormack pulled up sharply as he raced into a good position during the 1-1 Coca-Cola Championship draw at Bloomfield Road.

A serious hamstring problem could see McCormack out for four to six weeks, making him a major doubt for Scotland's Hampden double-header against Macedonia on September 5 and Holland four days later.

"Ross definitely won't play at Plymouth on Tuesday because we heard a ping," Jones said.

The 22-year-old started for Scotland during their 4-0 defeat by Norway in Oslo last Wednesday, although he was sacrificed for a defender shortly after Gary Caldwell's 33rd-minute red card.

The former Rangers and Motherwell striker scored in Scotland's previous Group Nine clash, a 2-1 victory over Iceland at Hampden in April.

The injury may also ensure McCormack stays at Cardiff when the transfer window closes at the end of this month.

City rejected an offer from Hull earlier this month for the frontman, who handed in a transfer request despite signing a new four-year contract this summer.