ALAN HUTTON, the Scotland right-back, is back in Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert's plans after being completely frozen out for two years.

Hutton came off the bench at half-time in Thursday evening's 3-1 pre-season win over Mansfield and Lambert praised the 29-year-old's professionalism.

News of Hutton's personal situation will also come as a huge boost to Scotland manager Gordon Strachan ahead of September's opening Euro 2016 qualifier against world champions Germany.

"Alan has come back and I thought he was excellent," said Lambert. "I was delighted with the whole group.

"I've always known they have been good players. Everybody knows the situation that was going on with the club. But these lads have been brilliant."