Brown has been troubled by an ankle injury in recent weeks

George Burley insists that the decision on whether Scott Brown travels to Japan with the Scotland squad rests with the ankle specialist Brown is to visit.

Celtic midfielder Brown will head to London after Sunday's Old Firm match to have his troublesome ankle assessed.

"I pick the players who are fit and who are playing. Scott Brown is fit and he is playing," said the Scotland manager.

"Whether he'll be available for Japan will be determined by what the specialist says."

Burley, recently backed by the Scottish Football Association to continue in his role after the failure to reach the 2010 World Cup, wants as many of his players as possible available for next Saturday's friendly in Japan.

It's important to build a squad that we have every player available unless they are injured, of course, or carrying a knock Scotland manager George Burley

"I'm picking as strong a squad as I can for every game," said Burley.

"We have very few games and it's important to build a squad that we have every player available unless they are injured, of course, or carrying a knock."

Brown, though, will still be in London on Tuesday, the day before he is due to fly out with the national team.

The 24-year-old, who had ankle surgery in the summer, was hurt on international duty last month.

On Friday his club boss Tony Mowbray said: "If he needs a period of rest then we'll do what we need to do.

"Everything will be done in conjunction with the people at the Scottish FA and conversations with myself and George."

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