Former England international forward Tony Cottee believes Sunderland marksman Ross Stewart could have a "big future" with the Scotland national team.
Stewart has played twice for Scotland but missed their latest batch of internationals due to a muscle thigh injury. The 26-year-old sustained his injury during the warm-up ahead of Sunderland's defeat against Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium earlier this month.
The Scot was subsequently ruled out for six to eight weeks but Cottee has backed Stewart to make the step-up once he returns from his spell on the sidelines.
"Scotland don’t have an abundance of players so they have to make the most of what they have just like Ireland and Wales do," Cottee revealed in an interview with Cheeky Punter.
READ NEXT: Sunderland international round-up as duo miss out on more international minutes
"He’s done really well at Sunderland and just because he’s not in the Premier League, doesn’t mean he can’t play for Scotland. We’ve already spoken about Jarrod Bowen, who was at Hull and he’s made the step up no problem. Ross could have a big future if he’s given the chance."
Stewart's injury interrupted a stellar run of form, which heralded five goals and three assists in his opening seven Championship games.
He scored 26 times last season as Sunderland secured their return to the Championship via the League One play-offs.
READ NEXT:
- Tony Mowbray's 'encouraging' injury update ahead of Preston North End clash
- Tony Mowbray's Sunderland plans for Jewison Bennette after 'massive impact'
- Tony Mowbray's plans to nurture Sunderland's young talent while managing expectations
- PSG loanee Edouard Michut can replicate Yann M'Vila's Sunderland rise
- Sunderland's Championship challenge assessed as pre-World Cup run-in looms
