Rugby: Scotland handed a boost as Paterson's fitness improves

EDINBURGH full-back Chris Paterson looks set to be fit for duty in the Bank of Scotland Corporate Autumn Test Series after taking in part in yesterday's Scotland training session.

The 31-year-old cap and points record holder missed Edinburgh's Magners League defeat against Newport Gwent Dragons on Sunday with a foot infection that was treated using antibiotics administered by a drip.

He was able to join his colleagues for the final day of a squad get-together in St Andrews ahead of the series which kicks-off against Fiji on November 14.

However, that piece of good news for Scotland coach Andy Robinson was tempered by the continued absence of Paterson's teammate Ben Cairns.

The centre took a knock to his knee during Sunday's game and left Murrayfield on crutches. He has taken no part in training this week and was absent once more yesterday.

Robinson, who has sent former Edinburgh prop Alasdair Dickinson back to his current club Gloucester for further rehabilitation on a shoulder injury, has scoffed at suggestions that the forthcoming matches are friendlies.

He said: "The matches against Fiji, Australia and Argentina will be tougher than the matches that we face in the Six Nations and we'll have to be at our best to beat them. It will be a really good benchmark to see where we are."