Strachan looks to ease Darren Fletcher back in to Scotland squad

Scotland boss Gordon Strachan has downplayed the prospect of an imminent international return for skipper Darren Fletcher.

Fletcher made his first appearance for Manchester United at any level since undergoing surgery in January to treat his ulcerative colitis condition when he played 67 minutes for the Under-21s last Monday.

Strachan said: “I spoke to him two or three weeks ago and he will be far away from full fitness. There is a fitness level and there is a match fitness.

“Luckily, he has got a great work ethic to his training and it’s a big part of his game, that fitness level.

“I spoke to him when he first started training back at Carrington and I could tell in his voice he was a happy boy. It was a great phone call to make.

“Sometimes you can hear in the voice right away and it was a real positive phone call. I’m thinking about Darren Fletcher playing his first game for Manchester United and I think that’s what Darren Fletcher is thinking about.

“I will take up the reins after that.”