Charlie Mulgrew’s call-up to the Scotland squad ‘surprised’ Tony Mowbray who will contact national team boss Alex McLeish over the inclusion of the Rovers skipper.

Mulgrew missed Tuesday’s win over Wigan with a hamstring injury sustained in the defeat to Preston last weekend. However, McLeish says he has been assured by the 33-year-old that he will be fit for Euro 2020 qualifiers against Kazakhstan and San Marino on March 21 and March 24.

Mowbray doesn’t want to release Mulgrew, for fear he may miss the rest of the season should his grade one hamstring injury become any worse, and the Rovers chief will want Mulgrew available for the Championship clash at Aston Villa on March 30.

“We were surprised to be honest,” said Mowbray.

“The physio told me (on Tuesday) that Charlie is pushing hard and thinks he will be ready for Saturday,” Mowbray said of the call-up.

“But why would you risk a hamstring injury for one game? If it tightens up and goes from a grade one to a grade two, he’s then missing the rest of the season.

“Why would we do that? Let’s see.”

Mulgrew is one of three central defenders currently sidelined, with Darragh Lenihan and Jack Rodwell also out injured. Under-23s captain Tyler Magloire was handed his debut, in the centre of a back three, in Rovers’ win over Wigan, alongside Ryan Nyambe and Derrick Williams.

The defensive injuries mounted though as Amari’i Bell suffered a knock to his back which saw him replaced in the 25th minute and put his place for Saturday’s game at Sheffield Wednesday in doubt.

Mulgrew hasn’t given up on featuring at Hillsborough, to make himself available for his country.

McLeish was asked about the decision to name the defender in his 27-man squad despite his injury status.

He said: “We have a good feeling about Charlie. He has always put himself on the line and he’s very confident that he’s going to be okay.”

But Mowbray added: “Charlie has told McLeish he thinks he will be fit for the internationals. I’m not so sure. We will see.

“My concern is that if we risk him on one game he could be out for the last seven or eight.

“You tweak a slight hamstring injury and it becomes a more severe one.

“With total respect to Scotland, I’m not sure it’s worth risking. I will speak to Alex.”