Scotland's manager Gordon Strachan sprang a major surprise in his first competitive squad by calling up the Brighton midfielder Liam Bridcutt.

The 23-year-old Reading-born player was joined by Dundee United's winger Gary Mackay-Steven and the Peterborough's winger George Boyd in getting a first call-up ahead of the World Cup qualifiers against Wales and Serbia.

Boyd, who is currently on loan at Hull, previously featured for Scotland B in 2009 but never made a full squad.

Southampton's left-back Danny Fox has been recalled while there is no place for Rangers' Lee Wallace or Phil Bardsley, who has not played for Sunderland since 19 January.

Blackpool's winger Matt Phillips and the QPR forward Jamie Mackie both drop out, as does Celtic's captain Scott Brown, whose season appears to be over because of an abductor injury.

The in-form Hibernian striker Leigh Griffiths was not included but Chris Burke of Birmingham retains his place after Strachan handed him his first international cap in more than six years in the 1-0 friendly win over Estonia last month.

Scotland squad

To play Wales on 22 March and Serbia on 26 March.

Gilks (Blackpool), Marshall (Cardiff), McGregor (Besiktas); Berra (Wolves), Caldwell (Wigan), Fox (Southampton), Hanley (Blackburn), Hutton (Real Mallorca), Martin (Norwich), Mulgrew (Celtic), Webster (Hearts); Adam (Stoke), Bridcutt (Brighton), Burke (Birmingham), Commons (Celtic), Dorrans (West Bromwich), Forrest (Celtic), Mackay-Steven (Dundee United), McArthur (Wigan), Morrison (West Bromwich), Snodgrass (Norwich); Boyd (Hull), Fletcher (Sunderland), McCormack (Leeds), Maloney (Wigan), Miller (Vancouver Whitecaps), Naismith (Everton), Rhodes (Blackburn).