Burley warning for Gordon

George Burley has warned Craig Gordon his place in the Scotland side may be at risk if he does not regain his spot in the Sunderland team.

Goalkeeper Gordon, who recently recovered from an ankle injury, has fallen behind Marton Fulop in the pecking order at the Stadium of Light.

With Scotland set to play Holland on March 28, manager Burley could turn to understudy Allan McGregor, who is currently first choice at Rangers.

“It’s something we will have to assess,” Burley said.

“If you are not playing, then it is difficult. We know what Craig can do and we still have a few weeks before the Holland game, so it is something I am keeping an eye on.

“Naturally, you want your players to be playing first-team football on a regular basis. Allan has been in excellent form for Rangers. He showed in our last game against Argentina that he can perform very well at international level.”

The Holland game is set to be the first time Burley has been able to play his preferred midfield of Barry Ferguson, Darren Fletcher and Scott Brown.

He said: “For me, Barry, Darren and Scott are all top-class international players and they give us something I want to build our team around.

“Maybe some people underrate our midfielders, but I don’t underrate them.

“They are different types to some of the Dutch midfield players, who are playing for top European teams. But our midfielders have their own attributes and the three we are talking about could get involved with any international side.

“I will be looking to accommodate all three of them in the side because I think they are top international players. I haven’t had all three at my disposal to pick for the same team yet. Fingers crossed, all three will be fit for the Holland game.”

Coventry left-back Danny Fox is eyeing a shock call-up for the game in Amsterdam after claiming he is ready to turn his back on England.

The 22-year-old, who has a Scottish grandfather, has been watched twice by Burley in the past month.

He played in a friendly for England Under-21s last year but said in the Daily Mail: “I would be very proud to play for Scotland – it would be the best achievement of my career.

“Obviously, I was with the England Under-21s but if Scotland asked me to play for them, it would be a no-brainer. I want to play for Scotland.

“I know George Burley has watched me a couple of times and, hopefully, he will have been impressed.

“It would be just amazing if I was involved for the game in Holland – I’d love that.”

Meanwhile, Burley’s predecessor Alex McLeish has revealed he will snub any plea to rest his Scottish Birmingham players at the start of next season.

Burley is hoping English clubs will agree not to field their Scotland internationals ahead of the August 12 World Cup qualifier in Norway.

But McLeish, whose squad includes James McFadden and Garry O’Connor, said in the Daily Express: “I definitely wouldn’t do that or even contemplate it. The players are too important to us not to play them. Maybe it was a tongue-in-cheek request from George.”

Wolves boss Mick McCarthy has also refused to consider resting Chris Iwelumo and Christophe Berra.