Darren Fletcher will have to pass a fitness test on Tuesday if he is to be available for Scotland's World Cup Qualifier in Slovakia.
Manager Gordon Strachan says he will be making changes to the team regardless, following Saturday's 1-1 draw __with Lithuania in which the Scots scored a late equaliser.
Scotland captain Fletcher suffered a thigh injury during that match and had to sit out the second half but is desperate to be involved in Trnava.
And he told the media on Monday: "It is still a bit sore but it has progressed quite well.
"I don't think I am going to train tonight, because I don't want it to bleed again. I am hoping that I will wake up tomorrow and it has improved again.
"Then I will go for a fitness test and, fingers crossed, I am available for selection.
"I am desperate to play, I have got nothing really to save myself for. Club games are important but representing your country is equally as important.
"I don't really look to protect myself. If I am available and the manager selects me, I will be out there doing my best."
Strachan said: "Darren is having a fitness test and we will prepare a team with him in and one without, but we are fine, we're looking forward to the game.
"There are going to be changes anyway because we thought it would be a rough and tumble game, the first game [against Lithuania], which it was.
Slovakia vs Scotland
October 11, 2016, 7:30pm
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"It was more like a Championship game, especially in the first half.
"It changed a bit in the second half, it died down a bit, but we did pick up a few knocks.
"I had ideas for two months about what I was going to do [against Slovakia] but suddenly they have dramatically changed their system over the last couple of games
"We have had to have a really good re-think since Saturday night.
"Our players know their system has changed a bit and we will have to be on our toes."
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Scotland have four points from their first two Group F Qualifiers and are-joint second with Slovenia, while Slovakia are pointless after two matches.
England lead the way with six points and Strachan, who takes team to Wembley on November 11, thinks the group leaders will be hard to catch.
"Most of us expect that England will win it but you never know," he said.
"We will definitely try to get second at least. If you get first, then great, but second is our target as we sit here."
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