MARTIN O’NEILL has admitted he is “not sure” when Julian Araujo will be back in contention for a first-team place after the popular defender missed the last two games.
The on-loan Bournemouth right-back was a stand-out in the league and Scottish Cup encounters at Ibrox, but has sat out the 3-1 win over Motherwell and yesterday’s 2-0 loss to Dundee United with a thigh injury.
Araujo has returned to his parent club for rehab in an effort to overcome the problem and there is no timeline for when he is expected back at the champions.
O’Neill, speaking to the Scottish Sun, revealed: “Julian’s missing, he’s down getting treatment and being rehabbed at Bournemouth.
MEXICAN RAVE…Julian Araujo lets the Celtic fans know his feelings after the recent double-header at Ibrox.
“I’m not sure when he’ll be back, but the extra two weeks could help.”
The 16 times-capped Mexican was expected to get the nod to return to the international squad after an absence of nine months for the friendlies against Portugal and Belgium.
However, the 24-year-old back-four performer was surprisingly overlooked when head coach Javier Aguirre announced his pool last week.
Araujo now has 13 days to rest and recuperate before the Hoops try to get their title bid back on track when they return to Tayside for the must-win confrontation with Dundee at Dens Park a week on Sunday.
Colby Donovan and Anthony Ralston shared right-back duties against the Fir Park club with the teenager starting before being replaced by the Scotland international.
The Under-21 starlet was in at the kick-off at Tannadice, but limped off in the 63rd minute with Luke McCowan coming off the substitutes’ bench.
A fully-fit Araujo, already an instant hit with the Parkhead faithful following his dramatic stoppage-time winner over Kilmarnock at Rugby Park last month, will be welcomed back by O’Neill who is in urgent need of key players in the season’s countdown.
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