After weeks of debate, Soccernet can reveal the Liverpool midfielder appears on the list of players requested by the SFA for international release and sent to English clubs late last week.

The news brings to a close a two-year self-imposed exile from international football for McAllister after he was booed by Scotland fans during a Euro 2000 qualifier against the Czech Republic at Celtic Park.

The 35-year-old changed his outlook after helping his wife Denise battle breast cancer and announced a month ago that he would return to the fold if his country needed him.

After much deliberation, Craig Brown has decided that Scotland does require the midfield skills that have earned McAllister another lucrative one-year contract with Gerard Houllier's team and has informed the Anfield club by letter.

The only other surprise among the list of Anglos requested for double-header duty against the Belgians and San Marino is Scot Gemmill, currently playing his best football under Scotland assistant manager Archie Knox at Premiership strugglers Everton.

However, there is bad news for Brown's striking options. Neil McCann is expecting results of a scan which will confirm he needs a hernia operation. That will rule the Rangers winger out for around six weeks.

McCann has soldiered on with the problem since the turn of the year because of the desperate injury list at Ibrox but was seen to be struggling badly during last week's 1-0 win at Dundee.