Sunderland midfielder says loan switch key to Scotland call-up

The 26-year-old Sunderland midfielder's future appears to lie away from the Stadium of Light but he has impressed for the Championship outfit since joining on loan.

And Bridcutt believes the loan switch has been key to working his way back into the Scotland squad ahead of tonight's friendly with Denmark at Hampden Park.

"I'm very happy to be involved," said Bridcutt, who won his first and only cap to date three years ago in a World Cup qualifier against Serbia

"I've had call-ups previously but it seemed like every time I was getting back to full fitness or getting over an injury, something else happened.

"It’s been good that I've had a good run of games at Leeds and it’s showed as I’m back to full fitness now and ready to go.

"I probably wouldn't have believed I would get this call-up if you’d have asked me at the start of November.

"But I said when I first came to the club that all I needed was games to prove that I was ready to be back in the squad.

"Leeds United have given me the opportunity to showcase that."

Reflecting on the Scotland cap picked up in March 2013, Bridcutt told the Leeds United website: "It was a great experience for me – one of the best experiences of my career.

"As a kid I always grew up looking at international games and international footballers – that’s what I wanted to do.

"The experience I’ve had with Gordon Strachan has also been brilliant. He’s a very nice guy and very honest.

"He always wants the best from the boys and you can see that in the performances that Scotland have been putting in recently. They play some very good football."

The ex-Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder had failed to feature at all under either Dick Advocaat or Sam Allardyce at Sunderland this season, with both considering him surplus to requirements.