Alex McLeish has asked Berti Vogts not to pick Barry Ferguson for the game against Nigeria.
McLeish said: "We have to see how he is. He's still in a little bit of pain with the rib. It is not as bad as it was but he's still in discomfort and that was the reason he wasn't playing today.
"We would like him to get back playing games but the Scotland game in terms of the timing it's a difficult one because of the Scottish Cup final coming up.
"Obviously there are rules and regulations, which we will adhere to and abide by. But the player will always come first."
Ferguson's broken rib, which had forced him to take pain-killers before important club games, is close to healing, although he took no part in Sunday's 2-0 home win over Hearts.