Sunderland boss Roy Keane has backed fullback Ross Wallace for a Scotland call-up.

Keane said: "If Ross can do well for us, you look at how well Scotland are doing and you have to say there's no reason why he can't squeeze into their squad. So far we're very pleased with him. We all know his preferred position is left-wing but he's done very well for us at left-back because he's got a bit of quality on the ball. He gives us options. Look at the Reading game where he scored one and was really unlucky not to score another - that's what he can give us.

"He's an important part of our plans. It's no coincidence he's played in every match this season."

Keane does not plan to fine Wallace for removing his top to celebrate scoring against Reading and collecting the third booking of his Sunderland career.

On one occasion last season it led to a dismissal for a second bookable offence.

But Keane said: "I've never really been one for going down the road of imposing fines.

"There's no better feeling in the world than scoring a goal an sometimes it's hard to control your reaction in the heat of the moment. You just hope the penny drops."