Luke Graham gets Scotland call-up as Sebastien Pocognoli set to name enlarged squad

Stoke City centre-half Luke Graham has been called up by Sebastien Pocognoli’s for the forthcoming Nations League set of four fixtures with the new Scotland manager set to ring the changes.

Pocognoli is taking his players to a warm-weather camp in La Manga, southern Spain before games against Slovenia, Switzerland and North Macedonia. The Scots face the Slovenians both home and away, with the first clash—Scotland’s first since losing 3-0 against Brazil at the World Cup—taking place in Ljubljana a week on Saturday. In view of the demanding schedule, Pocognoli will name a squad of 28 players at Hampden at lunchtime on Tuesday.

Graham will be among them. The former Dundee defender has been in good form for Stoke since moving during the summer for a club record fee, estimated to be around £2 million plus add-ons.

Luke Graham has been called into the Scotland squad. | SNS Group

The 22-year-old was called up by Steve Clarke, Pocognoli's predecessor, to train with the main squad before the World Cup but missed out on making his debut against Curacao.

While he was named on the bench for the warm-up match against Dick Advocaat’s side, he did not join fellow youngsters Tyler Fletcher and James Wilson on the pitch.

A product of the Dundee FC Academy, the Perth-born player has reaped the benefit of playing regular top team first-team football on loan at Montrose, Albion Rovers and Falkirk. Graham also enjoyed a productive spell with Lochee United.

Last season was his breakthrough season with Dundee in the Premiership, winning the club’s Young Player and Players’ Player of the Year Award. He was also nominated for young player of the year by both the PFA Scotland and the Scottish Football Writers’ Association.

He played 40 games across all competitions for Dundee last season and earned a move to Stoke City after coming close to joining Portsmouth in the January transfer window.

He has quickly established himself in Mark Robins’ side, who are currently sitting in 10th place in the Championship. He was in the team that beat Watford 2-1 away on Saturday.