Leeds United's Liam Cooper recalled to Scotland squad

Leeds United captain Liam Cooper will vie for a place in the heart of the Scotland defence with Grant Hanley, Christophe Berra and Charlie Mulgrew

Scotland head coach Gordon Strachan has called up Leeds United centre-half Liam Cooper to his squad for next month's games against Slovakia and Slovenia.

"He's playing well in a winning team and is a big influence, so he deserves to be there," Strachan said of Cooper, 26, before the World Cup qualifiers.

Russell Martin and Steven Naismith, neither of whom are starting games for Norwich City, have been omitted.

Scotland must win both matches to have a realistic chance of the play-offs.

Sitting 43rd in the Fifa world rankings, they host Slovakia, ranked 19th, on Thursday, 5 October.

Three days later, they conclude the group matches of the campaign against Slovenia in Ljubljana.

With two games remaining, England top Group F on 20 points, ahead of Slovakia on 15. Slovenia, ranked 55th by Fifa, are ahead of fourth-placed Scotland on goal difference.

Eight of the nine group runners-up will contest a two-legged play-off to secure a place at the World Cup in Russia next year.

Cooper, who has helped his club side to the top of the Championship, was first included in a Scotland squad in March 2016 ahead of a match against Denmark but has yet to win his first full cap.

"We're always on the look-out for people who can bring something new, but we think that is the best squad we can get for the two games," said Strachan.

"He's playing well. He's playing in a winning side and he is a big influence on the side, he is the captain now.

"I probably should have had him in the last squad to be honest, but I made sure I didn't make the same mistake again.

"Because of his performances, he is back in the squad. He has been highly-rated by my scouting staff and myself over the past couple of months."

To start, Cooper will have to dislodge either Christophe Berra and Charlie Mulgrew, who have established a partnership at the heart of Strachan's defence.

Fellow central defender Grant Hanley retains his place in the squad despite playing only four minutes for Norwich since his summer transfer from Newcastle United.

Russell Martin and Steven Naismith congratulate Shaun Maloney on scoring against Georgia in 2014 - the latter has retired from playing, while Martin and Naismith have fallen out of favour at Norwich

On Carrow Road team-mates Martin and Naismith's omission, the head coach said: "They would like to be in the squad, but they know and I know that not getting any games for Norwich is not conducive to what they normally bring to the squad.

"We will miss them in terms of professionalism and enthusiasm. We've got to weigh that up with taking guys away for eight days and them maybe not being included, not stripped.

"They want to be on call in case they are needed."

Fulham's Tom Cairney misses out with a knee injury, while fellow midfielder James Morrison retains his place after his late call-up earlier this month.

"This squad have shown they can deal with big games and that's why they have been picked again," said Strachan. "It's a privilege to work with these guys.

"We believe that destiny is in our own two hands with these two games and, the way the players have been performing, we relish the challenge."

Scotland squad for World Cup qualifiers against Slovakia and Slovenia

Goalkeepers: Jordan Archer (Millwall), Craig Gordon (Celtic), Allan McGregor (Hull City)

Defenders: Ikechi Anya (Derby County), Christophe Berra (Heart of Midlothian), Grant Hanley (Norwich City), Liam Cooper (Leeds United), Charlie Mulgrew (Blackburn Rovers), Andrew Robertson (Liverpool), Kieran Tierney (Celtic), Steven Whittaker (Hibernian)

Midfielders: Stuart Armstrong (Celtic), Barry Bannan (Sheffield Wednesday), Scott Brown (Celtic), Darren Fletcher (Stoke City), Ryan Fraser (Bournemouth), James Forrest (Celtic), James McArthur (Crystal Palace), John McGinn (Hibernian), Matt Phillips (West Bromwich Albion), James Morrison (West Bromich Albion), Matt Ritchie (Newcastle United), Robert Snodgrass (Aston Villa, on loan from West Ham United)

Forwards: Steven Fletcher (Sheffield Wednesday), Leigh Griffiths (Celtic), Chris Martin (Derby County)