SCOTLAND midfielder Darren Fletcher has vowed to play through the pain barrier if it can help his nation get to the World Cup finals.
However, the 21-year-old will not put himself at risk in the double-header with Moldova and Belarus if it means missing the start of the new season at Manches-ter United.
Fletcher's dilemma is the latest chapter in the old story of club versus country and the picture is further clouded by the fact that Scotland manager Walter Smith is already without key midfielders Nigel Quashie and Gary Caldwell through in-jury and suspension.
Fletcher, struggling with a hamstring in-jury, said: "I have play-ed with injuries for United in the past and things are no different with Scotland."
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