Scotland suffered a last-minute blow on the eve of their departure for the Rugby League World Cup with the loss of Toronto halfback Ryan Brierley.
The former Leigh and Huddersfield player underwent surgery two months ago after rupturing a tendon in his hand and was ruled out after undergoing a late fitness check on Sunday before the squad left for Australia.
"I'm absolutely devastated," Brierley said. "The surgeon said my finger isn't strong enough.
"It was my dream to play in a World Cup, especially in Australia, but I will be supporting the boys from back home."
Brierley, who made his Scotland debut against Australia in the 2016 Four Nations Series in Hull, missed the end of Toronto's promotion-winning season after picking up the injury in their draw at Keighley in August.
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"It was a ruptured tendon in my middle finger and they said if they didn't operate, I'd lose the movement in my finger for the rest of my life so I had to get it done it done straight away," he added.
"It is probably the smallest injury I've ever had but the most complicated."
