Gordon injury hands Marshall Scotland chance

Scotland assistant manager Terry Butcher has urged goalkeeper David Marshall to cement his place as Craig Gordon's understudy in the injured Sunderland man's absence in Scotland's friendly against Wales.

Gordon, the undisputed No.1, fractured his arm in his club's defeat to Tottenham, meaning Cardiff goalkeeper Marshall, 24, is likely to start at Cardiff City Stadium - his home ground - on Saturday.

Marshall has had some unconvincing performances in a Scotland jersey but was outstanding against Holland in September. He recently expressed his frustration at travelling all the way to Japan for a friendly without playing a minute of the game.

Assistant manager Butcher told the Scottish Football Association's website: "We all know about Craig Gordon and what he can do. He's been fantastic for Sunderland, obviously, and unbelievable for Scotland. It is a massive blow for him; he's just come back from an injury as well.

"It does give an opportunity for people like David Marshall and Jamie Langfield to say, 'I want to step up here'. David Marshall, particularly, was immense against Holland in the last qualifier, and he's playing on his home ground as well. David has really confirmed himself as Scotland's number two. When you get the opportunity to start the game and play on a regular basis, you've got to grab that opportunity.''

Behind Marshall and Langfield, Paul Gallacher will be looking to make the most of his surprise recall. The 30-year-old St Mirren goalkeeper, who earned the last of his eight caps in May 2004, got the nod ahead of Neil Alexander, who has dropped down the pecking order after finding himself out of the team at Rangers.

Former Dundee United star Gallacher told his club's website: "I wasn't expecting that phone call on Sunday morning but I'm pleasantly surprised as you are never sure that the chance will come around again for an international call-up. I'm absolutely delighted. My last cap was about five years ago against Estonia and I was in a few squads after that so it is good to be involved again.''

Gallacher only joined St Mirren this summer and may not have been in the side at all but for a long-term injury to Chris Smith.

He said: "I've been pleased with my performances with St Mirren. Sure, some things can be improved but getting the call-up is great as it wasn't really something that I was expecting. At 30, you sometimes think the days of an international call-up may be past you, but even if is just for a one-off occasion, I'm still over the moon to be involved.

"Of course I would love to be involved in the game on Saturday but I'm realistic that I've only been brought in due to an injury to Craig Gordon. I'll go along and see how things come along and hopefully I'll show enough that I'll be considered for future squads, but I'll take things one step at a time.''

Rangers defender Steven Whittaker is a doubt after he was taken off during Saturday's 2-1 Scottish Premier League win over St Mirren with a hamstring complaint.