Scotland look set to be without Steven Thompson for the Euro 2004 clash with Lithuania next month.
The Scots know they will be in the play-offs in November if they win at Hampden Park on October 11 and rivals Iceland fail to secure a shock victory over Germany.
Thompson was outstanding in the 2-1 defeat in Germany earlier in the month but aggravated a knee injury in a league game for Rangers just a few days later.
Rangers boss Alex McLeish said: "He must be considered doubtful for Lithuania.
"We have already been in contact with Scotland's medical people and we have made sure that Berti Vogts has been kept up to speed with his progress."