Last Updated: Wed, 04 Nov 2009 15:36
Celtic striker Scott McDonald has been dropped by Australia for their Asian Cup qualifier against Oman next week.
Although the news will be a blow to the ex-Motherwell hitman, Tony Mowbray will be happy that McDonald is spared a long-haul return trip during the international break.
Mowbray is without key midfielders Scott Brown and Shaun Maloney for Celtic's must-win Europa League clash against Hamburg on Thursday.
Both players missed Saturday's 3-0 league victory over Kilmarnock and did not fly out to Germany with the rest of the squad.
Brown is sidelined with an ankle injury while Maloney is out with tendonitis in his Achilles.