Liam Bridcutt is firmly in Scotland’s thoughts as they plan their route through the World Cup qualifiers.

But the Albion star is likely to be pipped to a place in Craig Levein’s latest squad by a midfielder from the Premier League.

Levein wants to give Shaun Maloney the chance to take his current form for Wigan into the international arena when the Scots face the USA in Florida on May 26.

The squad will be named on Monday.

Scotland are comparatively well off for midfielders as they prepare for their qualification programme for Brazil 2014.

But The Argus understands Levein is keeping close tabs on Albion’s player of the season and likes what he has seen so far.

He is in the frame for a place in the squad to face Australia on August 15 in his grandfather’s home city of Edinburgh.

Reading-born Bridcutt has been watched by national team chief scout Michael Oliver this season.

Levein has kept a close eye on the player in televised games and is also impressed by his background with the Chelsea youth set-up.

Albion striker Craig Mackail-Smith will be named in Levein’s squad to face the Americans.

Meanwhile, Blackpool have their noses in front in the Championship play-off semi-finals after winning 1-0 at home to Birmingham in the first leg last night.