The Manchester United midfielder is to take an extended break from the game after revealing he suffers from ulcerative colitis, a chronic inflammatory bowel condition, and he is expected to miss the rest of this season.

Scotland's World Cup qualifying campaign does not begin until September 8, 2012, when Levein's side faces Serbia at Hampden, followed by another home tie against Macedonia three days later. No timescale has been placed on Fletcher's recovery, but at the very least the Scotland captain will not resume playing until pre-season.