Scotland manager Gordon Strachan hopes Scott Brown’s decision to come out of international retirement can add bite to their midfield against England on Friday 11 November.
The 31-year-old, who played the full 90 minutes the last time Scotland visited Wembley Stadium three years ago, announced in August he had won his 50th and final cap for Strachan’s team.
But with crucial 2018 World Cup qualification points on offer at Wembley Stadium, Brown has reversed that decision and is named in a 25-man squad.
England v Scotland
2018 FIFA World Cup Russia
European Qualifiers (Group F)
7.45pm, Friday 11 November 2016
Wembley Stadium connected by EE
Strachan said: “At the moment, we’ll have a stronger midfield and that’s a bonus for us because we’ll need to be strong there, because we’re going to play against a strong side.
“If you look at the England side, there’s energy in it, winning the ball back quickly.
“They’re a formidable foe.
“It excites me, it excites the players. There’s an edge to this one, which we all enjoy.
“We are in a place now where we are looking forward to that.”
Scott Brown played in August 2013 when England beat Scotland 3-2
Brown is one of seven survivors from the Scotland team that last played at the national stadium.
West Bromwich Albion’s James Morrison, who opened the scoring that night, is included along with Hull City midfielder Robert Snodgrass – named despite currently struggling with an ankle injury.
Swansea City’s Stephen Kingsley is set to deputise at left-back with Andrew Robertson and Kieran Tierney both injured and West Bromwich Albion’s Darren Fletcher retains the captain’s armband.
Goalkeepers: Craig Gordon (Celtic), Jack Hamilton (Heart of Midlothian), David Marshall (Hull City).
Defenders: Christophe Berra (Ipswich Town), Gordon Greer (Blackburn Rovers), Grant Hanley (Newcastle United), Stephen Kingsley (Swansea City), Russell Martin (Norwich City), Callum Paterson (Heart of Midlothian), Lee Wallace (Rangers).
Midfielders: Ikechi Anya (Derby County), Barry Bannan (Sheffield Wednesday), Scott Brown (Celtic), Oliver Burke (RB Leipzig), Darren Fletcher (West Bromwich Albion), James Forrest (Celtic), James McArthur (Crystal Palace), John McGinn (Hibernian), James Morrison (West Bromwich Albion), Matt Ritchie (Newcastle United), Robert Snodgrass (Hull City).
Forwards: Steven Fletcher (Sheffield Wednesday), Leigh Griffiths (Celtic), Chris Martin (Derby County), Steven Naismith (Norwich City).
