BURNLEY captain Graham Alexander has expressed his surprise that Ross Wallace was overlooked for Scotland’s friendly against Sweden tomorrow.

But he is confident the new Clarets’ winger won’t have long to wait before he establishes himself in manager Craig Levein’s plans.

Wallace arrived at Turf Moor in the summer with one cap under his belt, after playing a full friendly against Japan in October 2009.

He has yet to have the chance to add to it, but Scotland international Alexander believes the 25-year-old’s opportunity will come sooner rather than later.

“I was surprised he wasn’t in this one,” said the new Burnley skipper.

“Don’t get me wrong, I’ve seen the squad and there are some quality players, especially across the midfield.

"I think it’s a real strong area of the Scotland squad.

“But if Ross can play how he can play here, I think he’ll be in the squad in no time.

FROM BACK PAGE “Natural left wingers are quite hard to find. There’s not that many of them about, and Ross is definitely one of them.

"I think if he plays as well as he can do for Burnley I think he’ll be in that squad this season no problem.”

And Alexander hopes to be able to line up alongside him, for club and country, after reiterating his intention to never retire from international football.

“I was a professional for 12 years before I got the chance to play for Scotland at international level so I’m not just going to throw it away on a whim or because of my age or whatever,” said the 38-year-old, who has won 40 caps, his last in a 2-0 World Cup qualifying win over Macedonia in September 2009.

It was the last of his call-ups, and he has yet to feature under George Burley’s successor Levein. But Alexander won’t give up hope of a recall.

“If the manager doesn’t pick me I can say I gave it everything I could for as long as I could,” he continued.

“That’s been the way I’ve played my game over my career. It’s up to the manager. If he doesn’t pick me then fair dos, if he does then I’ll be there.”

Many players opt to concentrate on club football once they reach their thirties. Manchester United defender Wes Brown and Blackburn Rovers goalkeeper Paul Robinson made the headlines this weekend after announcing their retirement in the wake of a call-up from Fabio Capello.

But after making his Scotland debut only eight years ago, Alexander said that path is not for him.

“Some lads have had international football since they were 16 with Under 21s and so forth,” he said.

“It is a lot of travelling and you’re away from your family a lot and sometimes there are lads with injuries.

“Everyone’s different. There are so many different reasons for doing it, but I didn’t get it until I was 30, so maybe my hunger’s still there.

“I think it’s something a manager should choose really to be honest, but everyone has got their own reasons for doing what they do.”