EURO 2012 QUALIFYING  GROUP I: Scotland v Spain: SCOTLAND ASSISTANT manager Peter Houston offered a robust defence of the 4-6-0 formation used by Craig Levein in Friday's defeat by the Czech Republic claiming it was a "great strategy" which could be repeated in the future.

In a one-sided Euro 2012 qualifier in Prague, the visitors played without out-and-out strikers and eventually lost 1-0 to leave them with four points from three games ahead of the visit of world champions Spain tomorrow night.

Despite widespread criticism of the formation which continued over the weekend, Houston was unrepentant, saying: “You have a duty to try and get something points-wise for the country. I agreed with Craig, I felt it was the right way to go about it, to hit them on the counter-attack. I think we played some good stuff and were unlucky to lose to a goal from a set-play.”

Tottenham full back Alan Hutton, Wigan defender Gary Caldwell, West Brom midfielder Graham Dorrans and Rangers utility man Steven Whittaker were not risked in yesterday’s training session but Houston was confident “the majority, if not all” would be available for selection.

Caldwell played 75 minutes in Prague on Friday, his first action of the season for club or country following a hip operation, and Houston did not rule out the former Celtic man making back-to-back appearances – despite Wigan manager Roberto Martinez claiming his player was not fit for two games in quick succession.

Spain coach Vicente del Bosque expects to have Xabi Alonso and Sergio Ramos available.