KRISTOFFER AJER is standing by for a quickfire return to the Celtic first team when the Premiership resumes against Kilmarnock at Rugby Park tonight.
The Norwegian defender sat out the 2-1 Scottish Cup win over Partick Thistle at Firhill at the weekend as he continued his recovery from injury.
However, Ajer trained yesterday and got the nod from Neil Lennon to join the squad for the Ayrshire clash.
Jozo Simunovic, who came on for the limping Nir Bitton after only eight minutes in Maryhill, is rarely risked on Killie’s notorious plastic pitch to prevent recurrences of knee problems.
The Croat is just back after undergoing an op in September and the Hoops boss could rest him against Alex Dyer’s side and recall Ajer.
Winger Mikey Johnston is also back in contention after his comeback at Lennoxtown yesterday where the manager put him through his paces.
Ryan Christie, of course, will be missing as he serves the second of his controversial three-game ban which was issued following his incident with Alfredo Morelos before the turn of the year.
Mohamed Elyounoussi, who last appearances was in the first-half of the 1-0 Betfred League Cup Final success over Steven Gerrard’s Ibrox side at the start of last month, is still out with a foot problem while Hatem Abd Elhamed continues on the sidelines after suffering a reaction to his groin complaint.
Provisional squad: Forster, Frimpong, Bauer, Hayes, Ajer, Bolingoli, Taylor, Jullien, Brown, McGregor, Arzani, Rogic, Ntcham, Johnston, Edouard, Bayo, Klimala, Griffiths and Gordon.
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