With Nathan Patterson’s Everton campaign also ended by a hamstring injury that requires surgery, national head coach Steve Clarke’s squad could be short of right-back options for the summer tournament.

Asked about what it means for Hickey’s chances of making the finals in Germany, Frank added: “I guess it’s not fantastic, but that’s not for me to judge.”

Meanwhile, Real Sociedad have revealed that on-loan Arsenal left-back Kieran Tierney has suffered a groin strain in training that means he will miss Friday’s visit by La Liga leaders Real Madrid.

There was no indication of the severity of the “right adductor longus muscle injury”, but such injuries can take anything from four to 14 weeks to heal.

Sociedad say Tierney has already started treatment and that “the return to normal activity will be gradual”.

Clarke is already definitely without Lewis Ferguson for the Euros after the Bologna midfielder required surgery on a knee injury.

Southampton midfielder Stuart Armstrong will also not play for his club again this season, although club manager Russell Martin hopes the 32-year-old could yet recover from his quad muscle problem in time to make the Scotland squad.