Scotland: Captain Scott Brown is one of three more injury absentees

Celtic pair Scott Brown and James Forrest, along with Brighton midfielder Liam Bridcutt, have withdrawn from the Scotland squad through injury.

But Hibernian striker Leigh Griffiths has been passed fit to travel with the party ahead of Friday's World Cup qualifier against Croatia in Zagreb.

Scotland manager Gordon Strachan said it was "a huge disappointment" to be without captain Brown.

Brown had missed three months of the season with a recurring hip problem.

And he was substituted before the end of Celtic's Scottish Cup final win over Hibs after picking up a knock.

Motherwell defender Stevie Hammell and Aston Villa midfielder Barry Bannan had already been called into Strachan's squad as injury cover.

Hammell, who won his only cap in 2004, was called in amid injury doubts over left-backs Danny Fox and Lee Wallace.

Gary Caldwell had already been ruled out of the match against Croatia as the Wigan Athletic defender requires hip surgery.

Scotland are bottom of World Cup qualifying Group A with two points from six games.

Scotland squad

Goalkeepers: Matt Gilks (Blackpool), David Marshall (Cardiff City), Allan McGregor (Besiktas)

Defenders: Gordon Greer (Brighton and Hove Albion), Danny Fox (Southampton), Steven Hammell (Motherwell), Grant Hanley (Blackburn Rovers), Alan Hutton (Real Mallorca), Russell Martin (Norwich City), Lee Wallace (Rangers), Andy Webster (Heart of Midlothian), Steven Whittaker (Norwich City).

Midfielders: Stuart Armstrong (Dundee United), Barry Bannan (Aston Villa), Chris Burke (Birmingham City), Craig Conway (Cardiff City), Ryan Jack (Aberdeen), Gary Mackay-Steven (Dundee United), James McArthur (Wigan Athletic), James Morrison (West Bromwich Albion), Steven Naismith (Everton), Robert Snodgrass (Norwich City)

Forwards: Leigh Griffiths (Hibernian), Steven Naismith (Everton), Jordan Rhodes (Blackburn Rovers), Tony Watt (Celtic)