Date of Birth: 10 10 1971
Place of Birth: Coventry
Position: Defender
Nationality: Scotland
International Caps 21
International Goals 0
Graham Alexander Rumours and Transfers
17 08 2007
New signing Chris Brunt will miss West Brom's Hawthorns clash with Preston, however Ishmael Miller is able to make his debut in the clash.
Midfielder Brunt has joined the Baggies for a £3 million fee from Sheffield Wednesday however a pre season sending off whilst playing for the Owls means he must miss the North End clash whilst serving the 2nd instalment of a 3 game ban.
But forward Miller, who has arrived on a season long loan from Manchester City, will come into Albion manager Tony Mowbray's plans.
However, foot injury victim Richard Chaplow continues to be rated as a doubt and whilst midfielder Robert Koren returns to light training following an eye injury, the Slovenian remains a probable fortnight away from a 1st team return.
Baggies manager Tony Mowbray said, "I was informed Robert could be out 4 to 6 weeks however he is back in light training and next week he will be back training with the squad. Hopefully the week after that he will be back and raring to go."
Preston manager Paul Simpson would swing the axe for his side's away day.
North End slumped to a humiliating Carling Cup 1st round exit at the hands of Morecambe in midweek.
The 2-1 Deepdale reverse left Simpson fuming and the Lilywhites manager would hand on-loan Newcastle forward Andy Carroll a starting berth.
Carroll, 18, turned down offers elsewhere to join the Preston for the 1st half of the campaign and could start against the Baggies along with Karl Hawley.
First-choice strike pairing Neil Mellor and Brett Ormerod's places are under threat whilst Simon Whaley would also find himself dropped after a disappointing display against Morecambe.
Graham Alexander and Callum Davidson should return after being left out of the team against Morecambe however midfielder Darren Carter would miss out with a small knock.
13 08 2007
Former Celtic midfielder Stephen Pearson was rewarded Monday for helping Derby return to the English top flight with a call up to the Scotland squad.
Pearson, who has 6 caps, was named by manager Alex McLeish in his 22 man team for the friendly against visitors South Africa at Pittodrie in Aberdeen on August 22.
"It is a chance for us to look at another midfield whilst at the same time bearing in mind that win is still very important for us," mentioned McLeish.
"We would like to win this game however I have rested some of the senior players and I have got them on a stand-by list should we have any problems."
The 24 year old Pearson's former Motherwell team mate James McFadden is also included inspite of missing Everton's 1st match of the season through injury.
But there is no place for Rangers midfielder Charlie Adam or Kilmarnock forward Steven Naismith following their Scotland debuts in June.
Naismith was named in the U21 team for their clash with the Czech Republic the night before the South Africa game.
However, McLeish urged the young pair to show patience. "If they are disappointed to be left out, they should not be. They only must keep the form they have shown," he said. "It is important we do not rush the young players."
Scotland squad
Goalkeepers, Neil Alexander (Ipswich/ENG), Craig Gordon (Sunderland/ENG), David Marshall (Norwich/ENG), Allan McGregor (Rangers)
Defenders, Graham Alexander (Preston/ENG), Russell Anderson (Sunderland/ENG), Gary Caldwell (Celtic), Alan Hutton (Rangers), Jay McEveley (Derby/ENG), Stephen McManus (Celtic), Steven Pressley (Celtic)
Midfielders, Scott Brown (Celtic), Darren Fletcher (Manchester Utd/ENG), Stephen Pearson (Derby/ENG), Barry Robson (Dundee Utd), Gary Teale (Derby/ENG)
Forwards, Craig Beattie (West Bromwich/ENG), Kris Boyd (Rangers), James McFadden (Everton/ENG), Shaun Maloney (Villa/ENG), Kenny Miller (Celtic), Garry O'Connor (Birmingham/ENG)
