No-show O'Connor excluded by Scots

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GLASGOW, Scotland -- Absent striker Garry O'Connor has been left out of the squad by Group B leaders Scotland for Wednesday's Euro 2008 qualifier in Ukraine.

Lokomotiv Moscow forward O'Connor, on the substitute's bench for Saturday's 1-0 win over France in Glasgow, failed to join up with team-mates at their East Kilbride base on Sunday.

The 23-year-old O'Connor claimed at the weekend he had not settled in Moscow and would consider his future at the end of the Russian season next month.

Scotland's assistant manager Tommy Burns insisted the player's no-show would not result in him being banished from the national team as punishment by supremo Walter Smith.

The Scotland number two said: "I don't think the manager is looking at it like that. He is open-minded and compassionate.

"It is something the manager will deal with personally. There is no cause for hysteria. Like everyone else in life, footballers have problems too, but I am sure it will all be sorted out."

In other Scotland team news ahead of Wednesday's fixture in Kiev there is a call-up for Hibernian defender Steven Whittaker.

Christian Dailly is suspended after his caution against the French; Aberdeen's Russell Anderson is out with the hip injury, but striker Kenny Miller will be available after being suspended for Saturday's win.

That result left Scotland top of Group B with three wins from three games.

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