Fletcher back in Scotland fold

The Scotland captain's career was seemingly in the balance when Red Devils manager Sir Alex Ferguson revealed last month that the 28-year-old was yet to return to training after a long-standing chronic bowel complaint.

But Scotland manager Craig Levein confirmed that Fletcher is now on his way back to playing competitive football for the first time since a UEFA Champions League tie against Benfica at Old Trafford in November.

"Darren will be with us at the weekend, he is back in training and he played 45 minutes in a practice match last week," he said.

"He is not in the squad because he has not played for Manchester United but he will come back and do a bit of training with us."

Scotland squad is: Allan McGregor (Besiktas), Matt Gilks (Blackpool), David Marshall (Cardiff) Alan Hutton (Aston Villa), Phil Bardsley (Sunderland), Christophe Berra (Wolves), Gary Caldwell (Wigan), Daniel Fox (Southampton), Grant Hanley (Blackburn), Russell Martin (Norwich), Charlie Mulgrew (Celtic), Andy Webster (Hearts) Charlie Adam (Liverpool), Barry Bannan (Aston Villa), Don Cowie (Cardiff), Graham Dorrans (West Brom), James Forrest (Celtic), Shaun Maloney (Wigan), James Morrison (West Brom), Robert Snodgrass (Norwich) Matt Phillips (Blackpool), Jamie Mackie (QPR), Steven Naismith (Everton), Jordan Rhodes (Huddersfield).

Fletcher managed only 10 appearances for United last season as it was pipped to the Premier League title on goal difference by neighbour Manchester City.

The mystery virus first took hold towards the back end of the previous campaign and Ferguson confirmed in July that he was unsure if his compatriot would ever play again.

He last featured for Scotland in a 3-1 EURO 2012 qualifying defeat to Spain in October but Levein revealed that if Fletcher can keep progressing he could return for the national side sooner rather than later.

"I have been in touch with him every two or three weeks throughout the summer," he said.

"I don't want to go into the medical side of things but I'm just delighted to say that he is going to do some training with us.

"We will see how he gets on between now and September and I think you'll guess that if he is fit he will be in the team."

The Edinburgh-born midfielder made his Scotland debut in 2003 as a substitute against Norway.

He has now amassed 58 caps for his country and was named permanent captain in 2009 by then manager George Burley.