Scotland assistant Mark McGhee has made it clear that Darren Fletcher will not be rushed back into national team action.
The 30-year old Manchester United midfielder is back in the Scotland fray for the first time since November 2012 after spending much of the past 18 months on the sidelines with a chronic bowel problem.
Fletcher is in line for a Scotland return in Wednesday night's friendly with Poland in Warsaw but McGhee insists there will be no pressure placed on the Dalkeith native.
"Personally, I don't think at this stage we should be hanging all our hopes on Darren," said McGhee. "He has got plenty of time. He has got another summer to come back again, another pre-season to get back to his absolute best.
"So it's not now that we need him. We need him come September when the qualifiers start, that's the important thing for us. Whatever happens on Wednesday night, it will be a decision made between Gordon and Darren."
Regarding the Scotland captaincy, McGhee was unsure whether or not Celtic's Scott Brown would retain the armband or if Fletcher would reassume his former position.
"The captaincy is obviously one for Gordon to decide. We still have to pick the team. So, first and foremost, the two lads in line for the captaincy - Darren and Scott - would have to be in the team before a decision on it is made," he added.
"There are a few things to be discussed before we know for certain. Gordon hasn't said anything about it yet, other than it will need to be addressed."
