Scotland ace Kieran Tierney set to return from injury for Arsenal in early July

KIERAN TIERNEY’S potential Arsenal comeback has been pencilled in for July 8.

SunSport understands the Scotland left-back — out since knee surgery in April — is making strong progress with his rehab.

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And KT is on course for a return to training by the end of this month.

It is believed Gunners boss Mikel Arteta will take his squad to Germany for a friendly against second-tier side FC Nurnberg at the Max-Morlock Stadium.

And he hopes Tierney will be available to play his first game since March 29, when he starred for Steve Clarke’s Scots in a 2-2 friendly draw in Austria.

Arsenal also go Stateside for their pre-season build-up  with games against Everton in Baltimore plus two in Orlando against Orlando City and Chelsea.

And they are set to host Spanish side Sevilla at The Emirates on July 30.

Meanwhile, Clarke has to replace Scott McTominay with John Souttar against Armenia on Wednesday night, according to Livingston No2 Marvyn Bartley.

Manchester United midfielder McTominay was used again by Scots manager Clarke at the back in the Ukraine defeat and had a poor game.

He’s played well as a centre-half also, especially in the 0-0 draw against England at Wembley in last summer’s Euro finals.

But McTominay was badly exposed against the Ukrainians – and now Bartley believes new Rangers stopper Souttar has to come in for him.

Bartley told BBC Sportsound: “I think Christie for Dykes will the obvious decision the manager will make.

“But, also, while I know Souttar was injured towards the back end of the season although played in the cup final, I’d like to see him come back in.

“I think he’s a fantastic defender.

“I think he offers all that McTominay does in terms of driving forward with the ball in possession.

“But I think he’s also a better defender, a natural defender.

“So those two for me, and Armstrong also maybe the third one I’d look at.

“Again, he does extremely well for Southampton, he’s a fantastic player and his experience just to go into this game, with the quality he does have, he’d be another I’d be looking to play.”

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