Alex McLeish has claimed that he has had positive contact with Leigh Griffiths.
The Scotland boss dropped Griffiths for the Nations League match against Albania then stated that Steven Naismith was his first choice striker,
Griffiths pulled out of the double-header with Israel and Portugal to work on his fitness with his international manager raising his personal life as he discussed that decision.
Injury means that Naismith and Griffiths are both missing from the Scotland squad for the November internationals as McLeish attempts to edge Scotland ahead of Albania and Israel.
Steven Fletcher has been recalled to the squad with McLeish keen to avoid discussing the absent Celtic striker.
“It’s not something I really want to discuss when I’ve got to pay respect to a bunch of guys here who we need to get two really big results,” the Scotland boss told The Sun.
“Suffice to say I did have contact with Leigh (Griffiths) and it was very positive.”
Israel are currently sitting on top of League C Group 1 with six points from three matches, all of the group matches so far have resulted in home wins.
In form Celtic midfielder Ryan Christie has been recalled to the Scotland squad.