[LAF]

Date: Wednesday, 17 October
Kick-off: 1800 BST
Venue: Boris Paichadze Stadium, Tblisi
Watch: Live on BBC Two (UK wide)
Listen: Live on BBC Radio Scotland & online

Manchester United's Darren Fletcher looks likely to start for a depleted Scotland against Georgia on Wednesday.

Fletcher has not played at all since picking up an injury in the 1-0 victory over France on 12 September.

But midfielders Scott Brown, Lee McCulloch and Paul Hartley are missing from the squad, as are Alan Hutton, Garry O'Connor and Gary Caldwell.

With left-back Gary Naysmith nursing a knock, Reading full-back Graeme Murty has also been called up.

Prior to leaving for Tbilisi, assistant coach Andy Watson confirmed Scotland were hoping to call on 23-year-old Fletcher from the start in the crucial Euro 2008 qualifier.

"We will need to see when we get over there and get bedded in with Darren but he has done a couple of weeks' training - a full week without the ball on the running side, and a full week training with the squad," he said.

"So that's fantastic and it's great he has been able to come in and be available for us given the call-offs we have had."

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson took the decision to allow Fletcher to join the Scotland camp on Saturday night.

Fletcher, who has 32 caps, could not have played at the weekend, due to suspension.

Brown and Hutton were outstanding in the 3-1 win over Ukraine but the Celtic midfielder picked up a hamstring strain and the Rangers right-back suffered a calf injury.

O'Connor and McCulloch are both suspended after being booked during the win at Hampden.

Celtic pair Hartley and Caldwell, plus Rangers goalkeeper Allan McGregor, had already pulled out through injury ahead of the Ukraine game.

The experienced Christian Dailly could well be given a defensive midfield role, having appeared as a second half substitute against Ukraine.

Murty, who was last on the bench for the 2-1 win over Georgia at Hampden in March, brings with him Premiership experience but has just three caps to his name.

Graham Alexander is likely to replace Hutton on the right but could be required to cover again on the left should Naysmith's injury not improve.

Scotland travel to face Georgia on a high at the top of Group B having ended Ukraine's hopes of qualification.

BBC SPORT | Football | Internationals | Fletcher primed for Scotland role