Scotland facing trial by Torres as they bid to make the play-offs 

By Peter Jardine for MailOnline
Updated: 16:58 EST, 10 October 2011

Fernando Torres will be given the job of wrecking Scotland’s dream of making the Euro 2012 play-offs in Alicante on Tuesday.

The Chelsea striker has shown flashes of his former brilliance in recent weeks but has failed to score for Spain for more than a year.

Spain manager Vicente Del Bosque is still likely to start him against Scotland, who must match or better the result of the Czech Republic, who are away to Lithuania.

Chance to shine: Spain stirker Fernando Torres will start against Scotland

Torres started in Friday’s 2-0 win in the Czech Republic but was withdrawn for Barcelona’s David Villa just after the hour mark.

‘I saw Fernando in good form with a lot of energy and enthusiasm,’ said Del Bosque. ‘Unfortunately we didn’t find the right pass for him against the Czechs. He did what I asked of him. Fernando made them defend deep and opened up space.’

Scotland boss Craig Levein has a series of injuries to ponder.

Skipper Darren Fletcher is set to beat a minor ankle problem, while Craig Mackail-Smith has a better chance than Kenny Miller of filling the lone striker’s role.

New kid on the block: Craig Mackail-Smith has made a good imact since making the Scotland squad

And Levein has asked his medical staff to come up with a solution to the gashed foot which prevented Barry Bannan pulling on his boots for 36 hours following the narrow victory in Liechtenstein.

Cardiff’s Don Cowie, Middlesbrough’s Barry Robson and Steven Whittaker of Rangers could come into Levein’s thoughts if Bannan does not make it.