Liam Bridcutt believes his loan switch to United has been key to working his way back into the international fold after earning a recall to the Scotland squad for Tuesday’s friendly with Denmark at Hampden Park.

Bridcutt, initially an emergency loan signing from Sunderland back in November, is looking to add to his solitary cap for Gordon Strachan’s side – collected three years ago in a World Cup qualifier against Serbia – after impressing during his 22 United appearances so far this season.

The 26-year-old linked up with the squad over the weekend along with United team-mate Liam Cooper, who is eyeing his first senior international outing after previously representing Scotland at youth level.

“I’m very happy to be involved,” Bridcutt said. “I’ve had call-ups previously but it seemed like every time I was getting back to full fitness or getting over an injury, something else happened.

“It’s been good that I’ve had a good run of games at Leeds and it’s showed as I’m back to full fitness now and ready to go.

“I probably wouldn’t have believed I would get this call-up if you’d have asked me at the start of November.

“But I said when I first came to the club that all I needed was games to prove that I was ready to be back in the squad. Leeds United have given me the opportunity to showcase that.”

Reflecting on the Scotland cap picked up in March 2013, Bridcutt added: “It was a great experience for me – one of the best experiences of my career.

“As a kid I always grew up looking at international games and international footballers – that’s what I wanted to do.

“The experience I’ve had with Gordon Strachan has also been brilliant. He’s a very nice guy and very honest.

“He always wants the best from the boys and you can see that in the performances that Scotland have been putting in recently. They play some very good football.”