Andy Butchart has suffered a fracture in his right foot ©Getty Images

Scotland have announced that three members of their athletics team have been forced to withdraw from the upcoming Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast due to injury and illness.

Long-distance runner Andy Butchart, pole vaulter Jax Thoirs and high jumper Emma Nuttall had been hoping to compete at the event in Australia but have now been forced to miss out.

A scan in Boston, United States, revealed Butchart, who competed for Great Britain at the Rio 2016 Olympics, has suffered a fractured navicular bone in his right foot following his 3,000 metres race at the Millrose Games in New York on February 3.

Posting on Instagram, Butchart said: "With 500m to go during my 3,000m race at the Millrose Games last weekend I felt a sharp pain in my right foot.

"I knew what it was straight away and after an MRI in Boston it was confirmed - fractured navicular in the right foot.

"I am heartbroken to miss Gold Coast 2018.

"It definitely sucks, and I won't be racing for a while, but I'm going to come back faster, fitter and stronger than ever.

"Good luck to all with Team Scotland in Australia."

Jax Thoirs competed for the home nation at Glasgow 2014 ©Getty Images
Jax Thoirs competed for the home nation at Glasgow 2014 ©Getty Images

Pole vaulter Thoir had started the indoor season well but a blood clot issue, for which he will need surgery on a rib, has ruled him out of Gold Coast 2018.

Nuttall, the 2013 British high jump champion, has been nursing a knee injury this year but was still hoping to be able to make the Scotland squad.

However, further diagnosis confirmed tendinopathy in her left knee, meaning Gold Coast 2018 comes too soon for her.

Scotland's Chef de Mission Jon Doig expressed his sympathies for the athletes.

"Sincere commiserations to Andy, Jax and Emma," he said.

"I know just how much they were all looking forward to representing Scotland at Gold Coast 2018 and to succumb to injury at this late stage is a huge blow.

"We wish them all a speedy recovery and look forward to seeing them back in action later in the season.

"Despite their own personal disappointment, I am sure they will be cheering on their team-mates when the Games get underway."

Scotland have not confirmed that the trio will be directly replaced but have said that any additions to the squad for Gold Coast 2018 will be announced in due course.

The Games are set to take place from April 4 to 15.