BRENDAN RODGERS has dismissed reports Dedryck Boyata will miss the entire month of February through injury.
It was believed the Belgian World Cup defender would be sidelined and forced to sit out the Europa League knock-out ties with Valencia, the Scottish Cup meeting with St Johnstone a week tomorrow and the Premiership encounters against Kilmarnock, Motherwell and Hearts.
Boyata, who is suffering from an abductor problem and has not played since the 3-0 Scottish Cup win over League One part-timers Airdrie last month, is poised to get back to full training.
Celtic boss Rodgers said: “The plan, all being well with the last couple of days of rehab, is for him to train with the reserves this weekend.
“And then, hopefully, he will train with the first team next week.”
Midfielder Olivier Ntcham is also struggling, but, like Boyata, has a chance of making his return this month.
Rodgers added: “Olivier went to Clarefontaine and did some good work out there.
“He’s back here on Monday and we will assess it from our side. Hopefully, he will be ready to train on Tuesday.”
The French ace has not played this year and last figured in the first team during the disappointing loss at Ibrox on December 29.
Rodgers, though, admitted losing Aussie international midfielder Tom Rogic for six weeks was a blow, as CQN reported yesterday.
A scan revealed the playmaker, who hasn’t been seen in the first team since the Boxing Day win over Aberdeen at Pittodrie, suffered knee damage during his country’s Asia Cup campaign.
The Parkhead chief added: “Tom Rogic will be out for about six weeks. It is disappointing for us.”
