Under-21 call-up for Jordon Rhodes and Nicholas Ross

Jordan Rhodes and Nicholas Ross have been drafted into the Scotland Under-21 squad to face Northern Ireland in a friendly later this month.

Rhodes has been in fine goalscoring form for Huddersfield, while Ross has impressed with newly-promoted Inverness. Both could be involved in the international challenge match at Firhill on 17 November.

Coach Billy Stark said: "Jordan Rhodes scored 23 goals in 50 games last season in League One for Huddersfield Town and he has scored five in 10 this year, which is exceptional for a young player. He is the son of the former goalkeeper Andy Rhodes, who played for the likes of Dunfermline Athletic and St Johnstone, and he has completed five years of schooling in Scotland so is eligible to be selected for us and is keen to play.

"Another player coming in is Nicholas Ross. He has started ten matches for Inverness Caledonian Thistle this season already and is establishing himself as a first-team player. He deserves a chance."

Stark added: "The backbone of the squad is fixed in my mind but there will always be room for other players to come into the squad.

"A number of these players are playing regular first-team football at their clubs which reflects well for us as we should have a more experienced squad to kick off with."

Stark is missing Celtic's James Forrest and Aberdeen's Peter Pawlett through injury.

Scotland Under-21 squad: M Andrews (Falkirk), J Barclay (Falkirk), M Ridgers (Hearts); C Booth (Hibernian), G Hanley (Blackburn), P Hanlon (Hibernian), R Perry (Rangers), S Saunders (Motherwell), C Thomson (Hearts); T Cairney (Hull), J Fleck (Rangers), K Hutton (Rangers), B Inman (Newcastle), L Palmer (Sheffield Wednesday), N Ross (Inverness), D Wotherspoon (Hibernian), G Wylde (Rangers); L Griffiths (Dundee), A MacDonald (Burnley), J Rhodes (Huddersfield), J Russell (Dundee United).