David Bates Back in Scotland Squad as Luis Binks Withdraws

David Bates has been named in the Scotland squad, replacing defender Luis Binks, who has withdrawn. BBC Sport reported the change on 11 November 2026.

Bates is called up for Scotland's matches against North Macedonia and Switzerland. He has four caps for his country, which is the official term for an appearance in a senior international match. His most recent cap came in 2019, so this is a return after a long gap. He plays his club football for Amedspor in Turkey.

Binks is a central defender, the player who lines up in the middle of the back four and deals with the opposition's attacks through the middle of the pitch. He plays for Brondby in Denmark. He won his first three caps during Scotland's opening four UEFA Nations League matches. That competition pits the national teams of Europe against each other in groups, with the results shaping who goes through to the next stage and who drops down.

Scotland have collected four points from those four games. Under the usual scoring, a win earns three points and a draw earns one, so that total tells you Scotland have not yet found a clear winning run.

Scotland's head coach is Sebastien Pocognoli. He now has Bates to choose from alongside Luke Graham, Jack Hendry and Ryan Porteous, the other central defenders named in the squad. Bates's return gives him another option in a position where injuries and withdrawals can change a plan quickly.

For Bates, the call is a reminder that international places are not fixed. A player who has been away from the squad for years can be back in the mix within a few days. For Binks, the withdrawal interrupts a run that had brought him three caps in a short space. The reason for his withdrawal has not been detailed.

Scotland's next two matches will show whether the new look back line settles quickly. Bates will hope to make his presence felt in a squad that is still finding its shape.