Ryan Fraser apologises after what happened on Eddie Howe's first day at Newcastle to anger Scots

Ryan Fraser has apologised to Scotland boss Steve Clarke after training with Newcastle United just days after withdrawing from international duty.

Fraser had been called up by Clarke for the Tartan Army's crucial World Cup qualifiers against Moldova and Denmark last November, but pulled out of the squad with a muscle issue. However, Fraser then went on to train with his Newcastle team-mates on Eddie Howe's first day in charge as the winger looked to impress the new head coach.

Much time has passed since then, of course, but Fraser has been left out of Clarke's squad for next week's friendly against Poland, which is Scotland's first game since the club v country row. Given Fraser's form for Newcastle, though, it may not be long until the Aberdeen native is back in contention for his country.

"I had a chat with Ryan," Clarke told reporters. "Obviously, there was a situation in November where Ryan didn't come with the squad but trained with his club.

"Ryan has apologised for that situation. I had a good chat with him. I decided not to pick him in this camp and we've agreed that Ryan's club form, going forward, will determine whether he's involved in the next camps coming up so basically it's down to Ryan and how he plays for his club.

"He's done well recently. I've watched him a couple of times live. I've been there and seen him. Like I say, I've had a conversation with Ryan and we're both in agreement that this is the right way forward."