McFadden on road to recovery in time for double-header

13 April 2012

James McFadden is on track to feature in Scotland's crucial Euro 2008 double-header with Lithuania and France in September.

The Everton striker suffered a broken metatarsal in March and, while he returned to action for the final matches of last season, he hasn't trained this pre-season due to recurring pain.

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Back on track: McFadden has been given the all-clear to start training

The latest recurrence of his injury cast the former Motherwell star's availability for the make-or-break Group B clashes into doubt.

But McFadden, 24, has undergone a precautionary scan and was last night given the all-clear to begin training.

Everton physio Mick Rathbone confirmed: "The scans are very reassuring and we hope to ease him back into training over the next couple of weeks."

Meanwhile, Scotland have moved up one place in the latest FIFA world rankings - as England's seven-year run in the top 10 came to an end.

Alex McLeish's men, spurred by victories over Austria and the Faroes last month, are currently rated 22nd. England, meanwhile, plummeted four places to 12th - their first time outside the top 10 since 2000.

Brazil and Argentina have replaced France and Italy in the top two.

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