UEFA have offered Ukraine the choice of playing their World Cup semi-final in Scotland on May 31 or June 1 and are expected to confirm that this will also count as a Nations League qualifier.
Scotland are still waiting to find out when the vital postponed game against the war-torn nation will be played in Hampden, with the winners due to face Wales in the final in Cardiff for a place in Qatar.
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And reports in Ukraine have emerged that UEFA have informed them the game will take place on May 31 or June 1, with the Ukrainian FA allowed to choose whichever date suits them best.
Indeed, their preparations are in disarray after their in-country based players received special permission from their government to leave the country.
Scotland are due to face Ukraine in Glasgow on June 7 as a Nations League qualifier, but the previous game will now count as a World Cup qualifier and a Nations League game to reduce the backlog of matches.
This would mean the SFA would lose around £2million on ticket sales and commercial support if the two games were turned into one.
And UEFA will still have to decide when the final will take place in Cardiff with Steve Clarke’s side also due to face Armenia on June 4 and Ireland in Dublin on June 11, before traveling to Armenia three more days. late in Yerevan.
Ukraine are trying to confirm a training camp so they can prepare to face the Scots, with players from Dynamo Kyiv in Romania and stars from Shakhtar Donetsk in Turkey the vast majority of their national 16 players in their latest squad from both clubs.
They are weighing offers to base their team in Poland or Turkey, with the Polish FA offering to cover all accommodation and travel costs ahead of the game in Scotland.
Confirming a date would finally end any suggestion that Scotland and Wales would offer Ukraine a bye to the final, which has already been dismissed by Ukrainian FA chairman Andriy Pavelko and manager Oleksandr Petrakov.
Meanwhile, Scottish hero Nathan Patterson gave an update on his recent injury.
The 20-year-old has struggled to adapt to the Premier League since his January move to Everton and has been dealt another blow after picking up an ankle injury.
The defender is yet to start a game for the Toffees and his stretch will have to continue after boss Frank Lampard confirmed he needed surgery.
He said: “Injury-wise, Nathan Patterson will be out for a while.
“He went to see a specialist for his ankle and we are looking at having a minor operation later this week, so he will be out.”
The operation has since been completed with the Scottish star sharing an update on social media.
Patterson tweeted: “Operation went well. Thank you for all the kind messages.
“Come back stronger.”
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