Watford midfielder Don Cowie has been recalled by Scotland for their tough Euro 2012 qualifiers against the Czech Republic and Spain.

Cowie is one of three players drafted into the Scotland squad due to injuries, as Kilmarnock goalkeeper Cameron Bell receives his first call up and Cardiff City’s Kevin McNaughton returns.

The former Ross County midfielder was not included in the initial squad but was called up as Lee McCulloch is suspended for the first match against the Czech Republic on Friday and is also carrying an injury, although he is expected to be back when Scotland welcome Spain on October 12.

Cowie has been an integral part of the Watford side since joining the club from Inverness Caledonian Thistle for around £50,000 in February 2009.

The 27-year-old’s early form for the Hornets earned him his first call-up in November 2009, but he has not been involved in recent squads.

The Hornets boss Malky Mackay has stated on a number of occasions recently that he believed Cowie deserved a recall.

Mackay said: “He is a joy to watch in training and is an excellent professional footballer, so I think he merits being back in that Scotland squad.”

“Sometimes I don’t think he gets the plaudits he deserves,” Mackay continued, “because if you talk about team players then he is the ideal team player for our football club.

“Every week he covers the pitch very unselfishly without any credit attached but it opens spaces up for others. He is by far the player in training who looks the fittest and looks as though he is a step ahead.

“I think he has shown it in other games – the amount of work he goes through in games for us is incredible and he is the ultimate team player for our team.

“The players respect him so much in the dressing room because of the amount of work he puts in for them. I am delighted people are actually asking me about him.”