91Èȱ¬

Scott McDonald hopes to mark his return to Scotland with a goal that could cement his starting place for Australia - and Middlesbrough.

The 28-year-old was not even on the bench as Boro beat Bury on Saturday.

He has been out of the international picture for a year but has the chance to impress against the Scots at Easter Road on Wednesday.

"I've just been biding my time for that chance again and it's this one," the striker told 91Èȱ¬ Scotland.

"And hopefully I can take it with both hands."

Middlesbrough manager Tony Mowbray explained that he had wanted to field new signings Emmanuel Ledesma and Luke Williams alongside last season's top scorer, Marvin Emnes, in the Capital One Cup victory.

"As it stands, there were a couple of other boys he wanted to have a look at for the League Cup clash, a couple of younger guys, to give them experience," said McDonald when asked about his future at the Riverside.

"I am not too sure what's going to happen, but the way I see it, I'll be at Middlesbrough.

"If that's the case, I'll just need to get my head down and try to get back into the team and play as much as I can.

"Hopefully, by doing that, I it will give me more chance to play for my country too."

McDonald, who hit the net five times for Championship outfit Boro last season, has also yet to score for his country despite being capped 25 times but is playing down any pressure on him to perform in Edinburgh.

"Obviously, I would like to score," said the former Celtic and Motherwell striker from Australia's Dalmahoy training base. "It is every striker's job.

"I am no different, but there's no added pressure on me.

"Everybody keeps asking the question and it hasn't happened yet.

"Hopefully, this is the time for that to change with me."

Australia have had 10 fixtures since McDonald's last cap, in a 2-1 victory over Wales in Cardiff.

"We did quite well, we played Wales that day, and unfortunately the next time there were games I got selected but was unavailable through injury," recalled McDonald.

"And, since then, I haven't had a look-in as quite a lot of the boys have done extremely well.

"I am looking forward to what will be a good test for us and hopefully it is a good test for Scotland as well."

Australia coach Holger Osieck has also confirmed that Aston Villa midfielder Chris Herd will not be travelling to Edinburgh to join the squad for Wednesday's friendly after failing to shake off a quadriceps strain.

Meanwhile, Middlesbrough winger Cameron Park has been called up to the Scotland Under-21 squad to face Belgium in a Tuesday friendly following a spate of injury call-offs.