GEORGE BURLEY will be keeping a close eye on results north and south of the border this weekend, as he tries to establish who will be free to play in Scotland's B' international against Northern Ireland on May 6.

The national team coach already knows he will be badly hit by the absence of players required for play-offs in England and SPL games involving Hearts, Hibs, Aberdeen and Dundee United which go ahead 24 hours after the game at Broadwood.

There are also serious doubts if Old Firm players will be included in his squad as Rangers play Celtic on May 9.

Burley's assistant, Terry Butcher, has confirmed they are preparing to rip up their original plans and said: "Names are already written down, but it is not finalised yet.

"I don't think George is happy with the (SPL) fixtures, and I'm not too sure he can name a squad given the restructuring of fixtures.

"What I do know is this will open the door to other players both north and south of the border."

Five Scottish-based players already know they will be involved in the match after Northern Ireland boss Nigel Worthington named his squad and included Celtic pair Niall McGinn and Paddy McCourt, Rangers' Andy Little, Partick Thistle keeper Jonny Tuffey and Stirling Albion's Scott Gibb.

They are joined in the young squad by Manchester United midfielder Corry Evans, the brother of Jonny.

Worthington has thrown down the gauntlet to them all to prove they are worth a place in the friendly against Italy on June 6 and said: "This match bridges the gap between the Under-21s and the seniors, which is a big jump.

"If they perform well against Scotland, they could well be in my thoughts to face Italy."