Japan coach Takeshi Okada is set to pair European-based midfielders Shunsuke Nakamura and Keisuke Honda in home friendlies with Scotland and Togo next month.

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Honda has been in a rich vein of form for Dutch club Venlo, while Nakamura, the bedrock of Okada's side, has settled quickly at Espanyol since his pre-season move to Spain from Celtic.

The two players occupy similar attacking midfield positions, giving Okada a selection headache, but the 53-year-old wants to experiment with them alongside each other.

"Honda scored twice in his last game so we expect him to produce for Japan," Okada told Nikkan Sports daily.

"I have never ruled out starting Honda and Nakamura together."

Japan, who have secured their spot at next year's World Cup in South Africa, face Scotland in the Kirin Cup on October 10 before playing Togo four days later.