Alex McLeish is hoping to convince Aston Villa striker Gabriel Agbonlahor to turn his back on England and play for Scotland.

The 20-year-old has played for England Under-21s and is also eligible to play for his father's homeland, Nigeria.

Scotland coach Roy Aitken said: "It's part of my job working for Scotland but based in England to keep up to date with things.

"I speak to club managers all the time concerning players eligible to play."

English-born Agbonlahor, who has become a first-team regular at Villa Park this season, has a Nigerian father and a Scottish mother.

That gives him a choice of three countries for which to play.

He has already turned out for England's Under-21 side three times.

But he angered boss Stuart Pearce after failing to respond to phone calls while on holiday after being called up for the Uefa Under-21 Championships.

The dispute could now pave the way for a Scotland career.

Aitken has been keeping tabs on players eligible for Scotland, with Derby Count's Steve Howard having already revealed McLeish's interest.

"Gabriel certainly comes into that category, as does James Morrison at Middlesbrough, despite being born in Darlington," added Aitken.