Returning duo can help Scots in final third - coach

Pedro Martinez Losa hopes Caroline Weir and Emma Watson's return to the Scotland squad can help the team be "more productive" in the final third.

Real Madrid midfielder Weir, 29, and Manchester United counterpart Watson, 18, are back for this month's European Championship first-round play-off with Hungary after more than a year out injured.

Both sustained anterior cruciate ligament damage while on Scotland duty in September 2023.

"She’s a very important player for us," Martinez Losa said of Weir.

"In Spain they have a lot of games. She has completed all training sessions in pre-season. She's capable to play games of 90 minutes now with the proper recovery.

"Emma has started pre-season with the youth of Manchester United ahead of the schedule of everyone else.

"She's been with the first team training completing every single training session, and is now available to play with the first team.

"Probably in the final third and offensive-wise we can be more productive. Emma and Caroline are the ones who will be able to help us on that."

Lauren Davidson, Kathy Hill, Rachel McLauchlan and Emma Mukandi also return and Celtic midfielder Shannon McGregor, 24, is called up for the first time.

Martinez Losa is without national captain Rachel Corsie, with the Aston Villa defender, 35, out until December following knee surgery.

Scotland visit Hungary on 25 October before the second leg takes place at Easter Road on 29 October.

Should they progress, the Scots will face Montenegro or Finland over two legs for a place in next summer's finals in Switzerland.

"Rachel is a big loss in terms of leadership, of course, on and off the pitch," the head coach explained. "I’ve been in contact with her and probably we will find a way to Involve her at some point in the camp. We have not decided yet about captaincy, we will let the group know first.

"[Shannon McGregor] has evolved in her football, she always shows good attributes on the ball, good decision making. Her athleticism has also improved, which is also always a question mark on how these players are going to respond to the next level.

"She’s been one of the best players for Celtic in this beginning of the season."

Scotland squad

Goalkeepers: Eartha Cumings (Rosengard), Jenna Fife (Rangers), Lee Gibson (Glasgow City).

Defenders: Jenna Clark (Liverpool), Nicola Docherty, Kathy Hill (both Rangers), Sophie Howard (Leicester), Rachel McLauchlan (Brighton), Emma Mukandi (London City Lionesses), Kirsty Smith (West Ham).

Midfielders: Erin Cuthbert (Chelsea), Lisa Evans (Glasgow City), Sam Kerr (Bayern), Shannon McGregor (Celtic), Jamie-Lee Napier, Amy Rodgers (both Bristol City), Caroline Weir (Real Madrid).

Forwards: Lauren Davidson (Brann), Claire Emslie (Angel City), Kirsty Hanson (Aston Villa), Brogan Hay (Rangers), Martha Thomas (Tottenham), Emma Watson (Manchester United).