A SENSE of perspective rarely accompanies any England versus Scotland encounter but Darren Fletcher did his best to provide one regardless. The last time these two neighbours squared up on the Wembley turf Fletcher was absent. In truth, he had been absent for quite some time, the debilitating effects of ulcerative colitis eventually prompting him to take an enforced break from football. He did not play for his country at all between November 2012 and March 2014.

Some thought he might never play again but not Fletcher. Back in August 2013, when Scotland were succumbing to a typically valiant but predictable 3-2 friendly defeat to Roy Hodgson’s England, the West Bromwich Albion midfielder was in a hospital bed recovering from the operation that would give him back his life. Such was the strength of the anaesthetic he can barely remember the game, the temptation to tell him Scotland had won handsomely almost impossible to resist.

Playing competitive football was not in his immediate thoughts that night but in the coming weeks and months the notion that he may do so one day grew ever stronger. And so it would come to pass. When Scotland walk out the Wembley tunnel this evening, three years and three months since their previous visit, Fletcher, as captain, will likely be leading from the front.

“The last time we played here I was still in hospital that night, coming round from anaesthetic,” he recalled. “You’re fighting to try and stay awake and watch it but you’ve got no chance really. I just remember the flashes of Kenny Miller scoring and Mozza [James Morrison] scoring. Even Scotland-England can’t keep you awake when you’re on that stuff!

“That was the final op, the make-or-break to see if everything would be okay. I went in that morning and woke up that night and tried to watch the game. I have vague memories of it. But I was fighting bigger things than football at that point. It’s amazing that I got another chance.

“My biggest focus at that time was to be able to take my kids to the park and to step out of the house with no fear. That was my first challenge - to lead a more normal life. That was the reason I went for the operation.

“The next part, which I was desperate for, was to get back playing. But the first one was basically for life quality. That’s the biggest thing. You tick the box and move on from there. I believed [I would play again]. Probably out of blind stubbornness I put my faith totally in a surgeon. I knew I was playing when ill and that I was doing alright, but not quite the same.

“So I knew if I got relatively well and the operation was a success – as it proved to be – that I would be able to get back. I always believed I would get back to playing regular football and I always dreamed also of getting back for Scotland. And I think you need that mindset.”

Scotland will need to show similar resolve and determination this evening. Three games into this World Cup group, and they are already facing an uphill struggle to remain in contention to qualify. Realistically only a victory will keep alive that aspiration and, even against a relatively humdrum England team, that will require an almighty effort. But Fletcher, who has tasted both triumph and defeat at Wembley in his career, is not without hope.

“The lads are a little bit hurt after the last couple of games and that adds even more anger to our bellies, because we’re really desperate to show we’re better than what happened in Slovakia,” he said, recalling the 3-0 thumping last time out.

“We feel we’re capable of a performance that the manager deserves and the country deserves. It’s tough to come away to the top seeds and, while we won’t play for a draw, we wouldn’t be unhappy with one. Yes, we’ve had a couple of disappointing results, but we’re still right in it if we can get a result here.

“How do we win this game? The same way that Celtic defeated Barcelona and the way we as West Brom have beaten Manchester United and Arsenal. The game’s not played on paper. It’s 11 players going out there against another 11 and anything can happen. Talent alone can only take you so far. Desire takes you further. It’s up to us to step up.

“Everyone expects England to win but at the same time we believe in ourselves. We believe we can come here and put in a performance that will get us a result. Sometimes when people are on top of you, it can bring out an inspirational performance and hopefully that can happen here to help us get a victory. Sometimes when players are up against it a little bit they can produce magnificent things.”

Fletcher will become Scotland’s third-most capped player on 77 – equal with Alex McLeish – if he starts the match. “I’m aware of that milestone,” he added. “I’m quite close with Alex’s son who also has ulcerative colitis so it’s another little memento and we do the charity stuff together. That’s another nice thing but I’ll probably look back more on it at the end of my career. The biggest focus is on the game. Caps are great and it’s a nice milestone but getting a result is the thing that matters the most.”

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