Ben Gannon-Doak is set to start against Brazil as Scotland bid to secure a place in the last 32 of the World Cup finals.
Manager Steve Clarke will also go with a back four, missing Aaron Hickey as the right-back recuperates from a niggling calf problem.
The national team need a point against the five-time world champions in Miami to advance from the group stage of a major tournament for the first time in history.
Even a three or four goal defeat could still be enough to qualify, with the third place teams from eight of the 12 groups progressing to the round of 32.
Criticised for the lack of attacking threat posed in a 1-0 defeat to Morocco in Boston, Clarke is carefully managing Gannon-Doak’s minutes after the Bournemouth winger suffered a severe hamstring tear in the 4-2 win over Denmark in November and spent months on the sidelines.
Acknowledging the need to pose more threat in front of goal against Brazil the Scotland boss is ready to unleash the 20-year-old on Brazil
“I know I get questions all the time about Ben Gannon-Doak,” he said. “Listen, he’s a player who can bring us something different.
“But my job as head coach is to make sure I use him and utilise him at the right time.”
Gannon-Doak was introduced as a replacement for Kieran Tierney after analysis showed that Morocco run out of steam later in games. Defending the decision to use the £25million man as an impact substitute Clarke added: “It doesn’t always necessarily need to be from the start, but I’m not scared to start anybody if I think he can make the team better.”
Absent from the Morocco game with a minor calf ailment, Brazil looks to be too soon for full-back Hickey. Should Scotland seal their place in the last 32 the Brentford defender is expected to be fit and ready to return.
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A number of permutations could dictate Scotland’s fate. Currently on three points with a goal difference of zero a defeat by two, three, or even four goals would ensure an anxious wait to see how results in other groups play out.
Securing point against Brazil would remove any element of doubt over the issue. Four points would almost certainly be enough to progress and while there is a balance to be struck Clarke will resist any thoughts of returning to a back five in order to shut up shop.
A return to form for one of the team’s most influential players would help. A talismanic figure, Napoli midfielder Scott McTominay has struggled to live up to pre-tournament expectations so far.
“Scott is fine,” added Clarke. “It’s a very, very British thing.
“You put people on the pedestal when you to chop them down. I have got no idea why.
“He has done everything he's been asked to do in the games, he has tried as hard as he can.
“He hasn't had the inference on the game, but he hit the post against Curacao, he had the shots against Bolivia and he looks a goal threat going forward.
“If he continues to be going to in game three or game four, then hopefully he will end up getting the headlines that he deserves."
