Scotland lose Stephen Welsh and call up Ryan Porteous

Swansea City defender Stephen Welsh has withdrawn from the Scotland squad for their forthcoming Nations League double-header. He has been replaced by Los Angeles defender Ryan Porteous following the Scottish FA's latest roster update.

Earlier this week, there were concerns that Welsh had suffered significant knee ligament damage during Swansea's defeat at Portsmouth. Although scans suggested the 26-year-old had avoided a major injury, the national team coaching staff has opted to bring in cover for the upcoming fixtures against North Macedonia and Switzerland.

For Ryan Porteous, 27, this represents a return to the international setup. He last featured for the national team in March 2025 and has since transitioned to Major League Soccer, where he has made 35 appearances this year for his current club.

Scotland currently faces a critical juncture in the Nations League, needing at least four points from their final two group games to maintain hopes of reaching the promotion play-offs.