SAINTS have been handed an injury scare with the news that Che Adams has withdrawn from the Scotland squad after being forced off early due to a calf problem in his country's 3-0 win against Cyprus on Saturday.

The severity of the injury is not yet known but Adams has exited the Scotland camp ahead of their upcoming Euro 2024 qualifier against Spain, replaced by Hearts forward Lawrence Shankland.

Adams started at Hampden Park against Cyprus to claim his 23rd cap for his nation but shortly before the hour-mark, the striker hobbled off with his side ahead 1-0.

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Scotland went on to seal victory with a late Scott McTominay brace but speaking after the match, manager Steve Clarke confirmed it was a calf problem that led to Adams’ removal.

“He just felt his calf tighten a little bit before he came off,” Clarke said. “We’ll assess him and see how he is. It’s far too early to decide whether he’s going to be in or out.

"It’s obviously a short turnaround to the next game so if it’s 50-50 that would be optimistic, to be honest. If somebody comes off with a tight calf you’re not too sure what’s going to happen.”

And despite Clarke’s optimism, Adams has now been withdrawn from the Scotland squad, leaving him in a race against time to be back for Saints’ return to action next weekend.

Still seven days to prepare, Saints are back in action next Sunday when they travel to East London to face West Ham in a game with huge relegation implications.

The Hammers will enter the contest two places and one point ahead of Saints who sit bottom of the Premier League table with ten games left to play.

Adams has started 22 times in the league for Saints so far this season, including starts in each of their last four games.

After falling down the pecking order slightly following the January arrival of Paul Onuachu, Adams has regained his leading role under new boss Ruben Selles and finally scored for the first time since before the World Cup in Saints’ 3-3 draw with Spurs.