Scotland boss Anna Signeul wary of improved Faroe Islands

Scotland head coach Anna Signeul does not expect a repeat of Scotland's 7-2 away win over the Faroe Islands

Scotland head coach Anna Signeul thinks the Faroe Islands look fitter than when her side thrashed them earlier in the World Cup qualifying campaign.

The Scots won 7-2 in Torshavn last September but Signeul says Saturday's encounter at Fir Park will be tougher.

"It's not the same team from the last time we played, where it was very easy for us," she said before the penultimate qualifier.

"A win doesn't come by itself - we will need to work hard to get it."

Victory this weekend would leave Scotland in with a chance of winning Group Four when they travel to Sweden for their final pool stage match on 17 September.

Signeul is not, however, willing to look beyond Saturday's showdown.

"It's really, really important that we focus and commit 100% to winning the game," she said.

"It's important also that we show we can put on a good performance so that when we go into the next game against Sweden, we can be confident in what we're doing.

"We've been scouting them [Faroe Islands] and for every game they've played in, they've looked more and more fit. They also look better organised."

Kim Little has enjoyed a fantastic season for club and country

Signeul's side can all but qualify for the play-offs, for the first time in their history, if they win at the weekend.

They are second in the table, three points adrift of favourites Sweden. Should results go their way, the Scots will know before the trip to Gothenburg whether they have made it through to the play-offs.

They will then battle it out with the other three best runners-up from the group stage for the one remaining spot at next year's finals in Canada.

"We want them to be alert and on their toes and not take anything for granted. However, we also want to inspire the players," Signeul added.

"It would be a fantastic achievement if we can do it."

Signeul will be without Lisa Evans and Leanne Ross for the Faroe Islands match because of shin splints and a broken metatarsal respectively.

Caroline Weir has been drafted into the squad once again, having been an integral part of Scotland's Uefa European Women's Under-19 Championship, scoring nine goals along the way.

"I think she's up in the A Squad to stay," Signeul said. "She has done really well. She is a very technical player, has fantastic feet, and has started to get really fit."

Swede Signeul highlighted Kim Little as a potential match-winner against the Faroe Islands, with the Seattle Reign star going into the match off the back of a terrific season in the National Women's Soccer League, where she won the award for Most Valuable Player.

"I'm so proud she has got the recognition she's so worthy of," Signeul said. "She can give us extra in terms of our attack - especially now Lisa Evans is away. So it's really good to have her back."