James McFadden aims to resurrect Scotland career after return to Motherwell

James McFadden: Hopes to put recent struggles behind him and reach 50 caps.

James McFadden is hoping that his move back to Motherwell will boost his chances of a return to the Scotland side.

The 29-year-old is back at Fir Park, where he started his career, after signing a short-term deal earlier this week.

The striker was substituted at half-time in the last of his 48 international appearances so far, against Liechtenstein in September 2010.

Since then McFadden has struggled with form and injuries while at Everton and Sunderland, but he is hopeful that playing regularly in the SPL will give him a chance of getting noticed by Scotland boss Gordon Strachan.

"If I play regularly for Motherwell and if I'm doing well then it wouldn't be too soon in my mind, although the manager might feel differently," he told the Daily Record.

"I think the last Scotland squad had a lot of good players and others who came in and played well. So it's kind of the same situation.

"If the manager feels he needs me, then I feel I can still add to the Scotland team. If he picks me, I would be absolutely delighted."

Being hauled off and then publicly criticised by then-Scotland manager Craig Levein, who dubbed McFadden "lazy", after his last Scottish cap still rankles but McFadden is determined to add to his tally.

He said: "I can't end my Scotland career on that note. I am only 29 so if I can get back playing games I feel as though I can still add to the party. It would mean everything to me to get 50 caps.

"When I was a young boy one would have been enough but the fact that I am only two caps off the 50 mark - once you play a few games then it is a big aim."