Sheffield Wednesday pair Barry Bannan and Steven Fletcher denied Wembley chance as Scotland are brushed aside by England

Scotland's Leigh Griffiths (left) and Steven Fletcher inspect the pitch prior to the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying, Group F match at Wembley Stadium, London. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo

Fletcher had been nursing a knee injury picked up in the Owls’ defeat to Ipswich last week but was passed fit to play, while Bannan has started his last three games for his country.

However, Strachan gave in to pressure to hand a recall to Celtic striker Leigh Griffiths meaning Fletcher missed out, while with Scott Brown coming out of international retirement, Bannan was the man to make way.

England went on to comfortably win 3-0 after goals from Daniel Sturridge, Adam Lallana and Gary Cahill.

Strachan said of his players as a whole, following the match: “They shouldn’t be down. I’m going to send them back [to their clubs] knowing they’ve given everything.”

Owls boss Carlos Carvalhal has spoken in the past of his pride in seeing his players representing their countries, but with an important game coming up against Fulham and Fletcher suffering that knee complaint, the Portuguese will surely be glad to see both players back at Middlewood and fully fit...privately at least.

Elsewhere, Wednesday full-back Daniel Pudil was also an unused substitute in the Czech Republic’s 2-1 home win over Norway.