The referee for Scotland's opening World Cup qualifying match against Macedonia is returning to action after serving an eight-month ban imposed by the Czech FA for a poor performance in a domestic league match.

Pavel Kralovec, 31, was given a six-match ban for making serious errors in a game between Slavia Prague and Mlada Boleslav and later apologised for the display.

He will be in charge in Skopje on Saturday despite having officiated only two qualifiers at this level. "We have a young, inexperienced referee," George Burley, the Scotland manager, said. "It's a big test for him and he will be under pressure."

With Burley's first competitive match in charge of Scotland likely to take place in searing temperatures, Goran Stanic, the East Fife defender, has warned Scotland not to underestimate his native Macedonia.

"It's the first time they have met in and they have different styles of football," Stanic said. "It will be a very difficult game for both teams. Macedonia are like other countries in the Balkans, they like to pass the ball well and keep the ball on the deck. It's maybe slower than Scottish football, but the Macedonian players know each other well. They have a good chance."