Scott McTominay is expected to feature in Sebastien Pocognoli's second Scotland squad selection, while defender Scott McKenna looks set to miss out through injury as the Belgian manager prepares to announce his team on Tuesday, 3 November. According to BBC Sport, Pocognoli faces a defining moment in his early tenure, with Scotland needing to secure at least four points from their final two Nations League fixtures to harbour any realistic hopes of promotion.
The stakes could hardly be higher for the national team. Scotland currently sit on four points in League B1, three adrift of second-placed Slovenia, while Switzerland have already secured the group with 12 points and cannot be caught. Pocognoli's side must take maximum points at home to bottom-placed North Macedonia on 13 November and away to the Swiss on 16 November, and even then they require Slovenia to lose both their remaining matches if Scotland are to reach the promotion play-offs. Failure to win the first game at Hampden Park would leave the nightmare scenario of finishing bottom and suffering relegation to League C still mathematically possible.
Which midfielders will make the cut?
McTominay's inclusion appears certain after the 29-year-old midfielder was surprisingly omitted from Pocognoli's first squad. The Manchester United player has made an immediate impact since his comeback from minor heart surgery, scoring two doubles for Napoli in recent weeks. His return to the squad will force difficult decisions in midfield, where several players have staked competing claims.
Billy Gilmour has become an automatic choice under Pocognoli despite being left unused on the bench during Napoli's recent matches, while Lewis Ferguson remains a mainstay of Bologna's impressive run of three successive Serie A victories. Ryan Christie has started four of Bournemouth's six consecutive games without conceding, and Aston Villa's John McGinn came off the bench in his side's sole defeat in nine games, which came against Bournemouth.
The competition for places is intense. Uncapped Kristi Montgomery, a surprise addition to the previous squad, continues as a regular starter for Championship side Blackburn Rovers. Lennon Miller made a rare start for Udinese on Saturday but could not prevent a 5-2 home defeat by Roma, leaving the club without a win in eight matches. Kenny McLean faces an uncertain future in the squad after playing only 45 minutes as a substitute for Norwich City since withdrawing from the last selection through injury; the 34-year-old missed Saturday's win over Watford and is doubtful for Tuesday's fixture against Derby County.
Who will replace McKenna in defence?
Scott McKenna's absence from the squad appears likely after the Dinamo Zagreb centre-back missed his club's past two matches and has been ruled out for the next two weeks. Luis Binks, his fellow centre-back at Brondby, played 64 minutes in a win over Aarhus after sitting out the previous two games.
Other defensive options are competing for selection. Al-Ettifaq's Jack Hendry, Swansea City's Stephen Welsh and Stoke City's Luke Graham are all regular starters, with Graham helping his Championship side to three unbeaten games without conceding as he pushes for a first Scotland start. Kieran Tierney has returned to regular action with Celtic following an injury absence, though the club's defence has become increasingly vulnerable. His left-back rival Andy Robertson has started Tottenham Hotspur's three consecutive wins, though the 32-year-old captain does not complete many matches these days. Josh Doig's chances of adding to his two caps were damaged by Sassuolo's 6-2 home defeat to Lazio on his return to the starting line-up.
Right-back remains the most pressing concern for Pocognoli. Celtic's Colby Donovan is the only regular starter in the position, while Aaron Hickey and Nathan Patterson are used mainly as substitutes for Brentford and Torino respectively.
What is the goalkeeping situation?
Scott Bain's heroic display in Falkirk's first victory over Scottish champions Celtic in 19 years came at a timely moment, though the 34-year-old was always likely to retain his squad place given Scotland's shortage of experienced backup options. His position has become even more secure following Angus Gunn's recent struggles, with the established number one left on the bench for San Jose Earthquakes's win over Real Salt Lake on Saturday after facing criticism of his recent performances.
Who will lead the attack?
Che Adams is expected to return to the squad after scoring two goals in four games for Torino, providing a boost to Scotland's attacking options. Rangers' Lawrence Shankland remains unavailable through injury, leaving the forward line without one of the squad's key players.
Oli McBurnie has strengthened his case for another starting place by scoring his first two goals of the season in Hull City's latest two Premier League matches, though the club has now gone eight games without a win. Kieron Bowie, who opened the scoring in Scotland's win over North Macedonia last month, has failed to find the net in five games since and was on the bench for Sassuolo's weekend thrashing. Robbie Ure has scored his first two Sevilla goals since the last international break, though he returned to the bench for Sunday's defeat by Getafe, while James Wilson has gone eight games without a goal for Hearts.
Pocognoli may also consider attacking options from wider positions. Ben Gannon-Doak, though unused on the bench at the weekend, started for Bournemouth in impressive wins over Aston Villa and AC Milan. Josh McPake continues to impress with Hearts, and Findlay Curtis makes impactful cameos for Rangers.
Could wildcards feature?
Ryan Gauld has emerged as a possible wildcard after scoring three goals in his past four matches for Vancouver Whitecaps, offering Pocognoli an unexpected attacking option. Ross Stewart is another potential surprise after scoring for Swansea, providing additional depth in the forward areas as Scotland prepares for their crucial final matches.
What happens next?
Pocognoli will announce his squad on Tuesday, 3 November, with Scotland hosting North Macedonia on 13 November before travelling to Switzerland on 16 November. The outcomes of these two matches will determine whether the Scots can salvage their Nations League campaign and avoid the prospect of relegation to League C.
