Ryan Christie and James Forrest are back in the Scotland side to face San Marino after missing the 4-0 defeat from Russia on Thursday night.
After four consecutive defeats, with a goal difference of 1-13, the pressure is on Clarke to get a solid victory to bring that run to a halt with the Nations League play-off coming in March.
As well as Russia and Belgium, Scotland have fallen behind Cyprus and Kazakhstan who they face next month in the final qualifying ties.
Goalkeeper Jon McLaughlin makes his debut on the back of Sunderland losing away to Lincoln City which led to the sacking of Jack Ross as manager.
San Marino have a decent claim for being the worst side in Europe, on Thursday they lost 9-0 to Belgium while Andorra beat Moldova 1-0 the next day. San Marino have a goal difference of 0-37 from seven matches.
SCOTLAND: McLaughlin; Palmer, Findlay, Devlin, Robertson; McTominay, McGregor; Forrest, McGinn, Christie, Shankland
SUBS: Marshall, MacGillivray, Mulgrew, Fraser, Gallagher, Russell, Armstrong, Morgan, Taylor, O’Donnell
