Garry O'Connor apologised in February for his no-show

Alex McLeish has chosen the 24-year-old to replace the injured James McFadden for the friendly with Austria and the Euro 2008 qualifier against the Faroes.

And the Scotland boss said: "Garry has apologised for the private problems that led to him missing games.

"We wanted him to earn his way back in and have monitored his form."

O'Connor last played for Scotland as a substitute in the 1-0 victory over France.

I think he merits a return to the squad following recent call-offs Scotland manager Alex McLeish

But he missed the trip to Ukraine days later without explaining his reasons to then Scotland manager Walter Smith.

O'Connor did eventually issue an apology - but only in February, a month after Smith left to join Rangers.

He did not go into detail, simply citing "extenuating circumstances".

Now McLeish and assistant Andy Watson expect him to join up with their squad after playing for his club in Sunday's Russian Cup final.

"Andy Watson saw him in a recent domestic match and was impressed," said McLeish, who was O'Connor's manager while with Hibernian.

"I think he merits a return to the squad following recent call-offs."

O'Connor made his Scotland debut in April 2002 as an 18-year-old against Nigeria.