BRENDAN RODGERS has revealed his World Cup contingent will sit out the Champions League trip to Armenia.
And two key players – Dedryck Boyata and Mikael Lustig – may miss further crucial qualifiers.
The Russian adventure is over for Tom Rogic’s Australia and Cristian Gamboa’s Costa Rica, but both will be allowed an extra fortnight off before the first Euro game which is due against Alashkert in Yerevan on July 10.
Boyata, who played in last night’s 1-0 win over England, and his Belgian team-mates now have a date with Japan on Monday while Lustig and Co face Switzerland 24 hours later.
Rogic and Gamboa will be available for the return leg on July 18.
Asked about Rogic’s timeline after the Aussies’ elimination on Tuesday, Rodgers replied: “He’ll have two weeks off from now, so he’ll be back when we arrive home from the first leg. He’ll be back training on July 12.
“So, he’ll have two weeks free and then come back fresh and ready for, hopefully, another exciting season.”
On the other three players, the Hoops boss explained: “All the boys, from when they go out, they’ve got two weeks.
“I’m obviously delighted for Mika because it’s obviously a brilliant result that they have had. They are through and that is great. It’s unfortunate about Costa Rica..
“Dedryck has gone in and looked very, very good in his games and they are through, as well.
“We hope they can do well and let’s hope they can stay injury free so we get them back fit and ready.”
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