EURO 2008 QUALIFIER Group B: Scotland v France Date: 7 October Kick-off: 1700 BST Venue: Hampden Park, Glasgow Coverage: Live on BBC Sportsound, updates on the BBC Sport website

McFadden has not played first-team football since injuring his hamstring in last month's qualifier in Lithuania.

And McCulloch has only 15 minutes as a substitute behind him after his return from injury with Wigan last weekend.

But BBC Sport understands that both will start for Scotland, with McFadden give a lone striker role.

Thierry Henry is poised to be partnered by David Trezeguet for France after it was decided that an injury picked up by Louis Saha meant that the Manchester United striker was only fit enough for the bench at best.

But defenders William Gallas and Willy Sagnol, plus midfielder Patrick Vieira, will start after fitness tests on Friday evening.

Scotland manager Walter Smith admits that the lack of match fitness for some of his players is a problem.

But he stressed that it was a handicap that Scotland had overcome in the past.

Celtic's Kenny Miller is suspended for the game against the World Cup runners-up.

And Everton forward McFadden looks like getting the nod up front ahead of Rangers' Kris Boyd and Lokomotiv Moscow's Garry O'Connor as Smith adopts a defensive 5-4-1 system that has worked away from home in recent games.

Weir is one of several Scots without much match practice

McCulloch will play left midfield as a straight swap for West Brom's Nigel Quashie, who has been ruled out with an ankle injury.

Rangers' Barry Ferguson is likely to return to the midfield engine room - and the captaincy - after missing the victories over Faroe Islands and Lithuania through injury.

Preston North End right-back Graham Alexander will be asked to play on the other flank.

Injuries have denied Smith of the services of natural left-backs Gary Naysmith, of Everton, and Kevin McNaughton, of Cardiff City.

And a late attempt to to call up Rangers' Steven Smith was thwarted by a thigh problem.

Reading right-back Graeme Murty had also been forced out from the original selection.

And, although Russell Anderson joined up with the squad, the Aberdeen central defender has been struggling with a hip injury.

McFadden and Everton team-mate David Weir were given permission to join the squad on Wednesday.

Both men are short of match practice and took part in a reserve fixture on Tuesday.

Defender Weir, who captained Scotland in the opening two qualifying games, has not been an Everton regular this season, having made just two appearances as a late substitute.

Scotland (likely): Gordon, Dailly, Alexander, Pressley, Weir, Caldwell, Fletcher, Hartley, Ferguson, McCulloch, McFadden.