Craig Levein refuses to rule out Darren Fletcher for Serbia World Cup qualifier

CRAIG Levein has not ruled out the prospect of Scotland captain Darren Fletcher leading his team into their opening World Cup 2014 qualifier against Serbia in just over three weeks’ time.

Manchester United midfielder Fletcher has not played competitive football since last November as he battles to overcome ulcerative colitis, a debilitating and chronic bowel condition.

The 28-year-old has shown significant improvement in recent weeks and appeared for a United side against Aberdeen at Pittodrie last night in the Neil Simpson benefit match.

Fletcher had spent the previous three days training with the Scotland squad at Levein’s invitation, even though he 
was not named in the party for tonight’s challenge international against Australia at Easter Road.

Scotland begin their World Cup Group A qualifying campaign with a Hampden double-header against Serbia and Macedonia on 8 and 11 September, and Levein says he will take instruction from Manchester United’s medical staff before

deciding whether Fletcher can be selected.

“You might call me silly, but I am still hopeful Darren will be involved,” said Levein. “He was down to play for 45 minutes at Aberdeen and no doubt he will be looking to play more. It is a tall order for him to make the World Cup games but I have not given up on it.

“We will have to wait and see how he does. I would love to have him for all the games but it will be dictated more by Manchester United. They see a lot more of him than I do. They are with him every day.

“Their medical team and doctors are constantly monitoring the situation. If they get to the point that they believe he is capable of playing a first team game for Manchester United, then I will play him.

“If they give him the OK and he is fine and he hasn’t played for Manchester United, then I will consider him, but playing for Manchester United would be a clear indication for me he is ready to go.

“He is now on some new medication and it seems to be doing the trick. It is early days yet and I don’t want to go too deeply into what has happened with his treatment.

“But he has trained in all the sessions with us this week and although he looks a bit off the pace, as you can imagine, it is just good to see him on the training ground.”

Wigan Athletic defender Gary Caldwell, who will deputise as Scotland captain tonight,

revealed that Fletcher’s condition during this week’s training sessions has been both impressive and heartening.

“He looked fine to me, back to his usual energetic self, shutting people down,” said Caldwell. “But he’s speaking to a lot of medical people who will take it slowly, make sure he’s right when he comes back.

“It is really encouraging that he’s training with Manchester United and now with us. But, speaking to him, it’s something he has to take slowly. He never knows when it could happen again.

“The last time he hurried it too much. Hopefully this time he’s back for the foreseeable future, for a long time with no mishaps.

“I don’t know if the qualifiers are too soon for him. I don’t want to give you a headline saying he’s going to play. But I hope so. All we can say is we all hope he is available, because he is a huge player for us.”