Friday 28 October 2016 15:11, UK
Scott Brown has told Scotland manager Gordon Strachan he is available for selection for their World Cup Qualifier against England next month, despite previously announcing his retirement from international football.
It is unclear if his decision is permanent or a one-off for the Group F encounter against Gareth Southgate's side at Wembley on November 11.
Brown revealed his Scotland days were over on August 19 but now looks certain to be included in the party for the trip south when Strachan names his squad at a media conference next Wednesday.
Celtic skipper Brown initially called time on his international career to help prolong his career with the Scottish champions, having struggled with a number of hamstring issues in the second half of last season.
And the 31-year-old looks to be reaping the dividends of that decision, enjoying a new lease of life under manager Brendan Rodgers at Parkhead and producing some of the best performances of his career.
Motherwell manager Mark McGhee, Strachan's No 2 in the Scotland set-up, has welcomed Brown's u-turn saying: "Scott and Gordon will come to some conclusion over that but I think he is arguably the best player in Scotland right now. Certainly he's the best Scottish player.
"My understanding is that it was 100 per cent initiated by Scott. It was him revising his decision really and him thinking he has more to give.
"All Gordon has told me is that this is a possibility. I've not had a discussion about what he thinks about it though.
"I would imagine that when England look at our team, they would prefer Scott Brown to not be playing.
"Could this be the boost the team needs? I think it is. It certainly is for me. When Gordon told me, I felt it was a big positive. I was delighted. We have a better chance of getting a result with 'Broony' than without him."
But Brown gave no indication of his change of heart on Thursday when asked if he had any regrets over his decision to call time on his country.
"I'll enjoy watching that game. Here's hoping Scotland do really well down there," he said. "It will be another great occasion to be fair and I just wish Gordon all the best."
Strachan took Brown to Celtic Park from Hibernian in 2007 for a Scottish record fee of £4.4m and will be looking for any edge he can find ahead of the trip to Wembley, having picked up just four points from their opening three matches of the 2018 qualifying campaign.
