Fletcher boost for Scots

by Setanta Staff , 26 August 2011

Fit-again Darren Fletcher is back in Scotland's squad for the Euro 2012 qualifiers against the Czech Republic and Lithuania.


The 27-year-old Manchester United midfielder has not played for his country this year due to a virus which sidelined him in the spring.

Fletcher did return for United at the end of last season, before having a relapse in the summer which has seen him fail to feature in their opening two Premier League matches.

However, with Fletcher managing to get through two full reserve games against Arsenal and Swansea this week, United boss Sir Alex Ferguson revealed on Friday that he will be in the squad for this weekend's huge league clash against the Gunners.

As a result, Scotland chief Craig Levein has confirmed that Fletcher will now be back in his plans for the Hampden Park games against the Czechs on September 3 and Lithuania three days later.

On the return of his captain, Levein said: "I'm thrilled. He's arguably our best player and a perfect role model and example to the rest of the guys in the squad.

"I will also give a special mention to Kenny Miller for his role as captain when Darren hasn't been there, he has been fantastic.

"Darren is 100%. I spoke to him on Monday night. He played 90 minutes of a reserve game the previous week and he played 90 minutes last night.

"I had someone at the game and he is looking great and he is telling me this is the best he has felt for almost a year.

"I'm delighted to have him back and the way I'm looking at it is that he will be fit to play in both matches."

Scotland squad:

Goalkeepers: Matt Gilks (Blackpool), Allan McGregor (Rangers), Iain Turner (Preston North End).

Defenders:
Phil Bardsley (Sunderland), Christophe Berra (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Gary Caldwell (Wigan Athletic), Stephen Crainey (Blackpool), Grant Hanley (Blackburn Rovers), Alan Hutton (Tottenham Hotspur), Steven Whittaker (Rangers), Danny Wilson (Liverpool).

Midfielders:
Charlie Adam (Liverpool), Barry Bannan (Aston Villa), Scott Brown (Celtic), Don Cowie (Cardiff City), Graham Dorrans (West Bromwich Albion), Darren Fletcher (Manchester United), James Forrest (Celtic), James Morrison (West Bromwich Albion), Barry Robson (Middlesbrough), Robert Snodgrass (Leeds United).

Forwards:
David Goodwillie (Blackburn Rovers), Craig Mackail-Smith (Brighton and Hove Albion), Kenny Miller (Cardiff City), Steven Naismith (Rangers).

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Pos
Team P W D L +/- PTS
1.
Man City
38
28
5
5
64
89
2.
Man Utd
38
28
5
5
56
89
3.
Arsenal
38
21
7
10
25
70
4.
Tottenham
38
20
9
9
25
69
5.
Newcastle
38
19
8
11
5
65
6.
Chelsea
38
18
10
10
19
64
7.
Everton
38
15
11
12
10
56
8.
Liverpool
38
14
10
14
7
52
9.
Fulham
38
14
10
14
-3
52
10.
West Brom
38
13
8
17
-7
47
11.
Swansea
38
12
11
15
-7
47
12.
Norwich
38
12
11
15
-14
47
13.
Sunderland
38
11
12
15
-1
45
14.
Stoke
38
11
12
15
-17
45
15.
Wigan
38
11
10
17
-20
43
16.
Aston Villa
38
7
17
14
-16
38
17.
QPR
38
10
7
21
-23
37
18.
Bolton
38
10
6
22
-31
36
19.
Blackburn
38
8
7
23
-30
31
20.
Wolverhampton
38
5
10
23
-43
25
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