Centre-back David Bates has been added to Sebastien Pocognoli's Scotland squad, replacing withdrawn defender Luis Binks for Nations League matches against North Macedonia and Switzerland.
Bates returns to the Scotland setup
David Bates has been added to the Scotland squad for the matches against North Macedonia and Switzerland. Bates replaces fellow defender Luis Binks, who has withdrawn from the Scotland squad.
Bates is 30 years old and is currently playing with Amedspor in Turkey. He has had club spells in his homeland, Belgium, England and Germany, with most of his appearances coming at Mechelen.
Bates has won four Scotland caps, with the last of those coming in 2019. After being added to the squad, he could win his first Scotland cap in seven years.
Pocognoli's defensive options
Sebastien Pocognoli is the Scotland head coach and he prefers a back three. Alongside the newly added Bates, Luke Graham, Jack Hendry and Ryan Porteous are the other central defenders in Pocognoli's Scotland squad.
At the back, left-back Kieran Tierney can also operate in Pocognoli's preferred back three, giving Scotland another option in defence.
Luis Binks plays for Brondby and he won his first three Scotland caps during the team's opening four Nations League fixtures.
Scotland's Nations League position
Scotland picked up four points from their opening four Nations League fixtures. Switzerland, who host Scotland on Monday, are on maximum points in the Nations League section, while Slovenia are three points better off than Scotland in the same section.
North Macedonia have no points in the Nations League section.
Matches against North Macedonia and Switzerland
North Macedonia travel to Hampden on Friday for a Nations League match against Scotland.
Switzerland, who host Scotland on Monday, will provide the opposition in Scotland's upcoming away fixture in the Nations League.
