Adams recalled for Scotland's Women's World Cup qualifiers vs Belgium

Hibernian forward Eilidh Adams has been welcomed back into the Scotland Women’s squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifying double-header against Belgium after missing the opening fixtures through injury.

Adams, who has earned three caps for her country, watched from the sidelines as Melissa Andreatta’s side stormed to a pair of commanding victories over Luxembourg, winning 5-0 away and 7-0 at home to collect six points and set an early pace in the group.

The 23-year-old’s return adds firepower to an already confident squad preparing to face a Belgian team that also sits on maximum points from its first two matches. Scotland will host Belgium at Easter Road on 14 April before travelling to Leuven for the return leg four days later.

Andreatta has retained Birmingham City midfielder Chelsea Cornet and Glasgow City defender Amy Muir after both were forced to withdraw from the previous camp with injury problems of their own. Rangers defender Leah Eddie keeps her place after being a late addition to the squad that dismantled Luxembourg.

Unused substitutes from those games, Rangers winger Jodi McLeary and Nottingham Forest midfielder Amy Rodgers, drop out of the panel this window.

Speaking to Sky Sports News, Andreatta stressed the depth of competition within the group: “What it shows is how competitive the squad is and what players are doing off the park to make sure that they are in contention for selection. Then it comes down to form and performance and what the team needs for a certain window or certain opponent. Credit to them for getting themselves available and then getting form on the board to be selected.”

The head coach added that the squad’s mindset will be unwavering against Belgium: “We’re going to be relentless in how we attack the game, defend the game and play our way against Belgium. Every window is a player for us, so that we learn to thrive with pressure. We know that to be in control of our destiny, we have to do the work in the game and put our best foot forward.”

Scotland will finalise preparations at their training base before the first sell-out encounter at Easter Road, where Adams could make her first international appearance since recovering from injury.

Goalkeepers: Eartha Cumings (Manchester City), Lee Gibson (Glasgow City), Sandy MacIver (Washington Spirit).

Defenders: Georgia Brown (SC Jacksonville), Jenna Clark (Liverpool), Nicola Docherty (Rangers), Leah Eddie (Rangers), Sophie Howard (FC Como), Emma Lawton (Celtic), Rachel McLauchlan (Brighton), Amy Muir (Glasgow City), Charlotte Newsham (Charlton).

Midfielders: Chelsea Cornet (Birmingham City), Erin Cuthbert (Chelsea), Kirsty Maclean (Liverpool), Maria McAneny (Celtic), Miri Taylor (Aston Villa), Caroline Weir (Real Madrid).

Forwards: Eilidh Adams (Hibernian), Lauren Davidson (SK Brann), Freya Gregory (Newcastle United), Kirsty Hanson (Aston Villa), Kirsty Howat (Crystal Palace), Mia McAulay (Rangers), Kathleen McGovern (Hibernian).