BRENDAN RODGERS has confirmed that winger Liel Abada WILL be sidelined for the remainder of this year.
It was originally feared the Israeli ace would be out for five months, as CQN reported earlier today, but it looks as though that may be too severe although his period in recuperation will be lengthy.
Rodgers reckons Abada, who sustained the injury while training with his country’s international squad, could be missing into the “second part” of the season.
TESTING TIMES…Brendan Rodgers has been hit by a succession of injuries.
The Celtic boss, preparing for the champions’ Premiership match against Dundee at Parkhead on Saturday afternoon, admitted: “He’s gone to London today for a scan, but we think it’s going to be three to four months.
“He picked it up at the end of training in a shooting exercise, he’s done his thigh muscle.
“It’s a shame for him as he’s done well in pre-season. He started a lot of the games since I’ve been here and he’s done well, so we’re disappointed.”
Rodgers, speaking at the media press conference, added: “It’s a squad game for us, so we’ll look to other players to come in.
“He signed a new deal, he was looking happy and I was looking forward to continuing his development. It’s a shame, it’s a learning curve for him.
“He’ll work hard and hopefully get back and we’ll use him for the second part of the season.”
LOOKING DOWN…Reo Hatate has struggled for game time this season.
The champions have been hit by a series of injuries since the beginning of the season and Rodgers has already seen three central defenders – Cameron Carter-Vickers, Maik Nawrocki and Stephen Welsh – ruled out for a significant period.
New Bhoy Marco Tilio, signed from Melbourne City in June, hasn’t featured since his arrival because of fitness issues while Mikey Johnston returned from his loan spell in Portugal with a back injury.
On a brighter note, Reo Hatate, who limped off after only 25 minutes as a substitute in the 3-1 win over Aberdeen at Pittodrie, is on the way back and there are hopes he will make an appearance against the Dens Park outfit.
