Colin Hendry has had his six match FIFA ban reduced to just three games which leaves the door open for a World Cup return should Scotland qualify. The inspirational skipper, learned earlier today of the six-match ban that had threatened to end his international career had been halved. FIFA, the governing body of world football, heard an appeal by the player through his agent John Colquhoun and David Taylor, chief executive of the Scottish Football Association.
The reduction to three matches means the 35-year-old will miss Scotland's final group six qualifying matches, but will free the Bolton man for the opening game of the 2002 tournament or the play-offs, should Craig Brown's men finish second behind Belgium or Croatia.
And in another turn of events, Liverpool star Gary McAllister could be asked to end his own exile from the national team in the autumn if injuries once again bite into the squad. The treble winner has been in outstanding form for The Reds this season but has not been involved with the Scotland set-up since being booed by a section of the Hampden Park crowd during a Euro 2000 qualifier against the Czech Republic. The harsh treatment he received that night prompted the April Player of the Month to announce his retirement from international football, but a return could be on the cards following an exceptional season.
And although Brown's midfield options are by far the strongest available to him he knows that a player of McAllister's calibre would still be useful. Brown admitted: "Gary's stance has not changed. If we need him he would consider coming, if all our midfield players are fit then it would be likely that we don't need him even though he's excellent. I won't rule out anything in terms of Gary McAllister, but I think it's a bit presumptuous to say Gary will play against Croatia in September. If he's playing as well as he is now at the start of next season it might be appropriate to have a word with him again. We have got two vital games in September.
Filed by Shane Murray
