LIAM Cooper, the uncapped Leeds United centre half, has been recalled to the Scotland squad for the Russia 2018 double header against Slovakia and Slovenia next week.

The 26-year-old has been a regular starter for Leeds in the Sky Bet Championship in England this season and has caught the eye of national team manager Gordon Strachan with his impressive displays.

Cooper, who qualifies to represent this country due to a Bo'ness-born grandfather, has played for the Elland Road club eight times without being on the losing side once. Thomas Christiansen’s side are currently sitting on top of the second tier table down south.

The defender was first called up for the international friendly against Denmark at Hampden in March last year, but was not involved in the game.

The Hull-born player, who has played for both the Scotland Under-17 and Under-19 sides in the past, was then brought back into the national set-up for the friendly against Canada and the World Cup qualifier against Slovenia in March.

Elsewhere, both Darren Fletcher, the Stoke City midfielder, and his namesake Steven, the Sheffield Wednesday striker, are in the Scotland squad for the Group F games against Slovakia at Hampden on Thursday week and then Slovenia in Ljubljana three days later.

Both Fletchers pulled out of the national squad ahead of the meetings with Lithuania in Vilnius and Malta in Glasgow earlier this month due injuries, but have since recovered from their knocks.

Scotland, who have won three and drawn one of their last four qualifiers against Slovenia, England, Lithuania and Malta, can secure a play-off place if they beat both Slovakia and Slovenia in their next two matches.

Slovakia are currently in second spot in Group F – just a point ahead of Slovenia and Scotland with two games remaining.

Scottish hopes are high after a 3-0 triumph over Lithuania and a 2-0 win over Malta earlier this month moved them into a far healthier position in their qualifying section.

A strong Celtic contingent – Stuart Armstrong, Scott Brown, James Forrest, Craig Gordon, Leigh Griffiths and Kieran Tierney – is once again expected to be named in the Scotland squad this morning.