CHRISTIAN Dailly was ready to climb twin peaks in Tallinn this afternoon to banish once and for all memories of his seven-month hitch - the torn calf muscle which kept him out of action from December to July.

Scotland boss Craig Brown was set to hand Dailly a recall against Estonia as the Tartan Army looked to take a significant step forward on the road to qualifying for Euro 2000.

And the Blackburn Rovers defender, having been restored to Brian Kidd's line-up for the last game against Norwich, is also aiming to hold off the challenge from a fit-again Darren Peacock at club level. Dailly was used by Brown as a substitute against Bosnia on Saturday and found himself in the left-back role.

He looked likely to be one of three central defenders to start against Estonia but, basically, he was just happy to be involved.

"I have played in a number of positions but never left-back (as on Saturday)," said the man who won 34 caps at under-21 level.

"To be honest I think most people see me as a central defender and that's where I am most comfortable.

"But I don't mind where I play for Scotland. It's just great to pull on the jersey and get a game."

Dailly, now back to full fitness, shared in Rovers' first win of the season at Carrow Road. And Estonia has a special place in his memory as he was called into the squad for the first time six years ago for a World Cup qualifier.

"I remember that day very well. I was named as a striker but didn't get off the bench," he said.

"It was also Colin Hendry's first game for Scotland and we got a good victory. "Estonia have improved since then. They are a big, physical side who work really hard for each other.

"But we got the victory we wanted against Bosnia and the mood in the camp is great at the minute."

Hopefully, both Dailly and Callum Davidson, also set to start, will come through injury free and that applies to Kevin Gallacher if he gets a chance as a substitute.

Rovers will also have Alan Kelly and Lee Carsley featuring for the Republic of Ireland in Malta tonight, with Jeff Kenna and Damien Duff hoping to go on from the bench.

There was another injury boost for Kidd last night when Peacock came through 90 minutes with the reserves.

Meanwhile, Keith Gillespie is less likely to start for Northern Ireland against Germany in Dortmund tonight.

But the winger did impress after going on as a substitute in Saturday's defeat by Turkey.

Damien Johnson was one of Northern Ireland's better players in last night's 1-0 defeat in Germany in the under-21 clash.

The Ewood youngster, who played the full 90 minutes, set up Ireland's best chance of the night but it wasn't enough to salvage a draw.

Johnson could well have been selected for the senior squad but, with the under-21s still in with a chance of qualifying for their finals, Northern Ireland wanted to maintain as strong a side as possible.

Goalkeeper Anthony Williams has signed on with Second Division club Gillingham for a second month's loan.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.