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International friendly: Japan v Scotland
Venue: Nissan Stadium, Yokohama Date: 10 October Kick off: 1120 BST
Coverage: Live on BBC Two Scotland, BBC Sport website (UK only), Red Button & BBC Radio Scotland; live text commentary on BBC Sport website and mobiles

Burley hopes the new players in the squad will give him food for thought

Scotland's friendly against Japan is the perfect chance for new players to establish themselves in the team, according to manager George Burley.

With 10 withdrawals from the squad, Burley told BBC Scotland he is ready to give four or five players their debuts.

"It's an opportunity for a number of players to show what they've got and give me a headache the next time I announce the squad," he said.

"It's a game where we can experiment with players, which is very important."

Burley added: "We know what your Browns and Fletchers and McFaddens can do, but it's nice to have a look at other players too.

"In my time with Scotland, players have come in and surprised us.

"We had Steven Naismith and Steven Whittaker in the last couple of games, who were outstanding; we had Ross McCormack against Iceland, who came in and was outstanding.

"So that's what you're looking for. We've got five or six games before the next European Championships start.

"We've brought 18 players and most of them will play."

Lee Wallace, Ross Wallace and Graham Dorrans are likely to win their first caps, while Christophe Berra, Charlie Adam and Steven Fletcher are among a group of players keen to add to their limited international experience.

Burley added: "We've got a nucleus of a very good squad, some proven international players, and we'll be able to look at others - good, young players.

"Can they come up to international level? They are certainly hungry for it."

Blackpool midfielder Adam agrees with Burley that the game in Yokohama is the ideal platform for Scotland's fringe players to stake their claim for a regular spot.

"It's a perfect opportunity," the Blackpool midfielder told BBC Scotland.

"It's always an honour to play for your country and to come to Japan is a new experience for me and a lot of the other players.

"I'm very happy to be here, it's a great honour to be involved in the Scotland set-up again."

Adam, who won his two Scotland caps in 2007, is almost certain to start, given the spate of call-offs.

Nine of Burley's original selections withdrew through injury, while Dundee United's Scott Robertson had to step down just hours after he was drafted in.

With Darren Fletcher, Scott Brown and Kevin Thomson among those unable to make the trip to Yokohama, Adam, who left Rangers in the summer, could well line up in a central role.

MY SPORT: DEBATE Give your reaction to the number of Scotland call-offs

With so many of the Scotland squad inexperienced at this level, Burley suggested that he himself has taken time to become accustomed to the international scene, having stepped up from leading clubs such as Ipswich, Hearts and Southampton.

"In football you get club management and international management, and you maybe can grow into it," he said.

"Sometimes you get your knock-backs and you've got to be stronger because of it."