George Burley insists that David Weir's omission from the Scotland squad to play Croatia does not spell the end of his international career.The injured Craig Beattie and 37-year-old Weir are the only players to drop out of the squad following November's European Championship qualifier against Italy.

Hearts defender Christophe Berra and Hibernian forward Steven Fletcher have been called up while Sunderland defender Russell Anderson has earned a recall.

Burley spoke of his desire to retain the togetherness of the squad as he unveiled the 26-man pool to face Croatia at Hampden in his first match in charge on March 26.

And Weir has been told he can still remain part of that core group in the future.

Burley said: "I spoke to Davie last night and it is fairly clear the amount of games Davie has played this season and his age, he has done incredibly well.

"But to ask him to play another game (would be too much), and for Scotland's point of view we have got to look at other options as well. "But I certainly haven't ruled him out for the World Cup qualifiers. He is still playing exceptionally well.

"At his age he is not going to play forever but he has done terrifically well for Rangers and Scotland of late. "I think with a friendly game we can give him a little break and look at other players."

Berra, 23, who played under Burley as a youngster at Hearts, has been promoted from the Scotland B squad. "I have seen Christophe a number of times in the last month - he is a young player developing," the former Ipswich boss said. "He is playing regularly for Hearts, he has been captain for the last two or three seasons, he has a lot of good attributes."

Fletcher has been taken from the Under-21 squad, who have a UEFA qualifier against Finland on the same day.

Burley said: "Steven is one of the leading goalscorers in the SPL - he has got talent. He is a player I have admired for a long time.

"With his quality, he is another youngster who deserves his opportunity in the full squad."

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