Turkey-based Bates replaces Binks in Scotland squad

Centre-back David Bates could win his first cap in seven years after being added to the Scotland squad for the matches against North Macedonia and Switzerland.

Bates, playing with Amedspor in Turkey, won the last of his four Scotland caps in 2019 and replaces fellow defender Luis Binks, who has withdrawn.

As well as spells in his homeland, 30-year-old Bates has club experience in Belgium, England and Germany, with most appearances coming at Mechelen.

He has started all 11 matches this season as Amedspor sit third in the Turkish Super Lig.

All of Bates' Scotland outings came under Alex McLeish while playing for Hamburg in the 2018-19 campaign.

Luke Graham, Jack Hendry and Ryan Porteous are the other central defenders in Sebastien Pocognoli's squad, though left-back Kieran Tierney can also operate in the head coach's preferred back three.

Brondby's Binks won his first three caps during Scotland's opening four Nations League fixtures, in which they picked up four points.

North Macedonia, who travel to Hampden on Friday, have no points in the section, with Slovenia three points better off than Scotland and Monday's hosts Switzerland on maximum points.