SCOTLAND head coach Anna Signeul has one more injury problem to contend with following the revelation that central defender Jen Beattie is the latest doubt for Euro 2017.

The Manchester City player, who has 107 caps, injured her ankle in training at Falkirk Stadium on Thursday. She wasn’t listed for the following night’s 2-0 win over Romania.

A scan on Saturday revealed a ligament injury and she didn’t travel with the Scotland squad for this evening’s friendly against Sweden in Vaxjo.

“She will be out for four to five weeks, but she will have fantastic treatment at Man City,” Signeul said. The opening Euro group game against England is on July 19 in Utrecht.

The head coach is already resigned to going into the tournament without star player Kim Little and Hibs forward Lizzie Arnot. Both have anterior cruciate ligament knee injuries.

Signeul is still expected to announce her 23-player Euro squad a week today but says she is likely to keep two places open. One will be for Beattie and the other for Arsenal left-back Emma Mitchell, who has a hamstring injury.

“We just need to be very optimistic and wait and see,” Signeul said. “There is a lot to organise and I would have liked to announce the full Euro squad on Tuesday – but I think we can just select 21 of the 23 players.”

Scotland have won four, drawn two and lost two of their preparation matches this year but face by far their stiffest test against Sweden.

Signeul’s fellow countrywomen narrowly lost out on Olympic gold last year, being beaten 2-1 by Germany.

Scotland have played the Swedes five times under Signeul and their best result was a 1-0 defeat in 2007.

Tonight's opponents played the USA in a friendly on Thursday and lost 1-0 – but impressed Signeul.

“They had more corners and shots than the USA – it was just the goals that were missing,” the head coach said.

“We will have a tough game – which is good, because that is what we are going to face against England. We have players who can score and give us a chance to win the game, but it needs to come from a very solid defensive performance.”

Signeul's two best players against Romania were central defender Vaila Bardsley and forward Fiona Brown. Both play for top Swedish club Eskilstuna United.

The coach was also full of praise for striker Jane Ross, who became the second Scot behind Julie Fleeting to hit 50 goals for Scotland in Thursday night's match.

“Jane is brilliant for us and it's a fantastic record,” Signeul said of the landmark which came up in 104 games.

The Scotland players maintained their media boycott last night, denying Swedish photographers and journalists access to their pre-match training session at the Myresjohus Arena. They are in dispute with the Scottish FA over terms and conditions.