STEVEN NAISMITH is crossing his fingers that Darren Fletcher will eventually get back into a Scotland and Manchester United shirt.

The midfielder has been out of action since Boxing Day last year with ulcerative colitis but played the full 90 minutes of a United under-21 game this week and has been training since September.

It remains to be seen whether or not he is capable of getting back to peak fitness but Naismith was among the well-wishers as he got 90 minutes under his belt for Davie Moyes' second string.

"I am sure he will be back as soon as he's ready," he said. "I spoke to him just before he was going to play for United reserves and I think everyone is delighted for him.

"He is probably the most professional guy I have come across in football and he is a great captain.

"When I was younger and coming through he made you feel really welcome and a big part of it and that is one of his biggest qualities as a man. It will be great to get him back."

Naismith is keen to get one over team-mates old and new tomorrow night at Hampden.

DeMarcus Beasley, Alejandro Bedoya and Tim Howard are expected to feature against Scotland and Naismith is keen to get the last laugh.

"Hopefully if I get the chance I can put one over the American lads that I know," he smiled. "Tim and I had a bit of a joke last week when I told him that I would put one or two past him.

"They have got real quality and it is a chance to test ourselves against a team that is going to a World Cup."

Meanwhile, Scotland Under-21 coach Billy Stark has urged Stevie May to take his blistering goalscoring form into Thursday's match against Georgia.

The St Johnstone forward has netted 11 goals for his club so far this term, including three in the last two games.

He said: "Stevie is a young lad who has done exceptionally well.

"He was asked to go on loan to Alloa in the Second Division and he scored 20-odd goals.

"He then went out on loan to Hamilton in the First Division and scored 20-odd goals there.

"Now, the mantle has been thrown down for doing it in the Premier League. He's into double figures and we are only in November.

"He is consistently proving to people that he can handle it."