James Mackie and Gary Caldwell start for Scotland
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James Mackie and Gary Caldwell start for Scotland
Euro 2012 qualifier: Czech Republic v Scotland
Venue: Synot Tip Arena, Prague Date: Friday, 8 October Kick-off: 1915 BST Coverage: Live on BBC One Scotland, BBC Radio Scotland and streamed on BBC Sport website
Mackie is a surprise choice up front for Scotland
Scotland will give a debut to QPR striker Jamie Mackie in Friday's Euro 2012 qualifier with Czech Republic.
The untested 25-year-old is preferred to in-form Kenny Miller up front, while fit-again Gary Caldwell starts despite not having played for Wigan this term.
Goalkeeper Allan McGregor and full-backs Alan Hutton and Steven Whittaker have shaken off knocks to play.
And West Brom duo Graham Dorrans and James Morrison are in midfield with Darren Fletcher and Steven Naismith.
As expected, experienced pair Stephen McManus and David Weir form the central defensive partnership.
With Lee McCulloch suspended for the trip to Prague and Paul Hartley and Kevin Thomson missing through injury, manager Craig Levein has taken a gamble on Caldwell's sharpness.
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Caldwell, who underwent double hip surgery over the summer, could slot in as a third central defender or play a holding role in advance of the back four.
And the manager has surprised many by plumping for Mackie rather than giving Miller his 50th international cap in Prague.
The Rangers striker, so often deployed as a lone forward for club and country, has scored 10 domestic goals this season and netted in Scotland's 2-1 win over Liechtenstein at Hampden last month.
Levein was angered by press reports leaking his team selection, while the newspaper that correctly called the starting line-up also said the manager was planning to implement an unusual 4-2-2-2 formation.
Mackie's selection ahead of Miller and Wolves forward Steven Fletcher for such an important match is sure to raise a few eyebrows but the QPR man has been scoring regularly for his club.
The former Wimbledon, Milton Keynes Dons, Exeter City and Plymouth player, who qualifies through his Scottish grandfather, has bagged eight goals for the Championship-topping west Londoners.
Kirk Broadfoot, Jay McEveley, Scott Brown and Matt Gilks also had to withdraw from the squad through injury, although Brown may be fit to face Spain at Hampden on Tuesday.
Kilmarnock's Cammy Bell and English-born Sunderland right-back Phil Bardsley were both called up for the first time as replacements, along with Watford midfielder Don Cowie and Cardiff full-back Kevin McNaughton.
McCulloch has been struggling with a hip complaint, which could leave his place in doubt for the match against Spain, while Birmingham playmaker James McFadden is a long-term injury absentee.
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Date d'inscription : 08/10/2010
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