And Tannadice boss Gordon Chisholm feels the recognition is well-deserved for a player who has shown in the past two games he can operate effectively in a central role, as well as out wide.

“Barry is as good at dead-ball situations as anyone around in Scotland and he is also a boy who gives you all he has every time he plays,” said Gordon today.

“He has been doing well for us this season and I am delighted for him. For big Lee, it is a chance to show he is ready to come back into the full squad and I’ve already told him I expect a lot more from him in the future.”

Defender Mark Wilson would have been included, but a niggling knee problem that may eventually require surgery means Walter Smith has agreed not to use him this time out.

There are five Kilmarnock players in the pool for Tuesday in a match being billed as a chance for the manager to run the rule over a number of men on the fringe of the full squad.

“There are several players who have impressed me with their clubs, and I want to see what they can do in an international context. While others I might have considered are not available or injured, this is a good group with plenty of potential and I am looking forward to working with them,” said Walter.

The game forms part of the Future Cup tournament, which also includes Germany, Austria and Turkey. So far, Scotland have lost in Germany and Austria, and the competition will conclude with Scotland at home to Turkey on March 14.

Full squad: Combe (Kilmarnock), Marshall (Celtic); Berra (Hearts), Greer (Kilmarnock), Hay (Kilmarnock), Neilson (Hearts), Virgo (Celtic), Wallace (Celtic), Robson (Dundee United), Kerr (Motherwell), McDonald (Kilmarnock), Miller (Sunderland), Montgomery (Sheffield United), Teale (Wigan ), Boyd (Kilmarnock), Duffy (Falkirk), Miller (Dundee United).

Boss Gordon Chisholm is adopting a cautious line and there is no chance of the ex-Kilmarnock and Leicester City man facing Hibs on Saturday. He might, though, make the trip to Livingston a week later.

“It’s remarkable how quickly he is coming on — he has been running OK and there is no swelling on the knee. We won’t push him, but there has to be a chance he will make the Livi game,” said Gordon today.

There is also still a chance that midfielder Grant Brebner will make the squad to face his former club this weekend.

The ex-Hibee was jogging again today and, if he proves he is over the calf strain that has dogged him for most of the month, he may make the bench.

Those five have had differing styles of management and their own opinions on the game, but they are united in their admiration of the club captain, who is in the midst of his testimonial season.

“I quickly came to appreciate his qualities after I arrived here. I used to watch him in games and, to be honest, wondered how he did it, because he has never been the most athletic-looking player,” said Alan.

“However, he always seemed to be where he was meant to be or where the ball was and I respected that. My opinion of him is even higher now I am working with him and he is a very good pro to have around.

“He is one of those players who, whatever is asked of him, you know will go out and give it his best and, on the park, he takes responsibility. These days, it is rare to see a player have a testimonial season, but Barry deserves his.”

Meanwhile, with a long journey ahead of them to get to this weekend’s league fixture at Stranraer, the first team will head off on Friday and spend the night at a hotel in the south-west.

Funding for the trip is being provided by the Dundee Development Club.

Kevin Fotheringham also played and came through another comeback game, but flu prevented Kieran McAnespie from turning out. John Henry, another player who hasn't figured lately due to injury, took part and came through OK, pushing his claim for a place away to Brechin on Saturday.

FORFAR were left frustrated last night when their Bell’s Division Two game at Ayr was called off just an hour before kick-off.

Loons boss Ray Farningham commented, “It was the right decision because the pitch was quite solid. However, there should be an early warning system in place as I’m sure there must have been frost on the pitch much earlier.”