CELTIC summer target David Turnbull is set to make his comeback in January following knee surgery.
The problem was flagged up during medical examinations as the Hoops prepared to pay £3.25million for the Motherwell midfielder.
The deal collapsed in June and left the Scotland Under-21 international heartbroken.
However, Fir Park No 2 Keith Lasley insisted the talented playmaker should be out of traction and back in action at the turn of the year.
The Well assistant gaffer, speaking to the Scottish Sun, admitted: “David’s been at the ground every day. He’s had his appointments with the consultants and he’s bang on schedule.
“He fine and he’s working hard in the gym.
“We’re not going to rush him, but everyone wants to see him in the team. It’s possible he could return in January.”
EYES ON THE BALL…Olivier Ntcham in action in the 1-1 draw at Hibs.
Now the question is: Will the champions reactivate their interest in the promising 20-year-old who was poised to agree a five-year deal four months ago?
Neil Lennon made his move for Turnbull at a time where it looked as though Olivier Ntcham may be heading out of Parkhead with French giants Marseille linked with the midfield man who cost Brendan Rodgers £4.5million when he joined from Manchester City in the summer of 2017.
The French Under-21 star made noises of apparently being disappointed a move back to his homeland hadn’t materialised.
His form shaded at the start of the campaign, but he has returned to something close to his best and made two substitute appearances in the past two games against Cluj and Livingston after starting in the 1-1 draw with Hibs at Easter Road. He also scored a Goal of the Season contender in the win over Partick Thistle in the Betfred League Cup quarter-final.
Now there is the puzzle surrounding Lennon’s intentions over Turnbull after it had been widely anticipated the Hoops would come back in for the exciting prospect when he proved he was fully fit after his op.
But transfer speculation around Ntcham, who was also mentioned alongside Porto last year, appears to have settled and there is every possibility he will remain at the club once the January transfer window has been and gone.
