Brendan Rodgers addresses four injured Celtic stars with one requiring five stitches after nasty blow

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Brendan Rodgers needs to manage his Celtic squad extra carefully between now and the Scottish Cup final on May 24.

The Northern Irishman will want all of his top players fit and ready to take on Aberdeen at Hampden Park for a chance to win a domestic Treble.

Rodgers spoke to the press on Friday at Lennoxtown ahead of his side’s Premiership top six meeting with Hibs at Celtic Park this weekend.

He intimated that Nicolas Kuhn and Kasper Schmeichel have a chance of featuring having missed last weekend’s 1-1 draw with Rangers.

But unfortunately, defenders Alistair Johnston and Cameron Carter-Vickers will not play any part against the Hibees, with one out until at least the St Mirren fixture on trophy day.

• READ MORE: Barry Ferguson furiously reacts to Viljami Sinisalo’s shocking ’30 to 40 objects’ revelation from Rangers vs Celtic

Four Celtic injury updates before Hibs clash

Alistair Johnston & Cameron Carter-Vickers

Rodgers revealed: “Ali (Alistair Johnston) is still out, but we’ll have a look for him in midweek against Aberdeen.

“Cam (Cameron Carter-Vickers) is still out, we’re looking for him for the St Mirren game. We are sticking to the original plan with these two players.”

Nicolas Kuhn

Kuhn was spotted training with stitches under his eye on Friday and Rodgers has now explained that injury. However, he will be ready to play against Hibs if called upon.

“Nicolas did it the other day. He jumped for a header, and he got five stitches, and it was just down below his eye.

“He’s fit to play. He’s trained well this week, so he’ll have the warrior spirit for him tomorrow.”

Kasper Schmeichel

Lastly, Celtic fans are eagerly anticipating the return of goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel from his shoulder injury sustained on international duty.

Rodgers said: “I think we just have to be careful with Kasper, and we’ll wait to see until later on how his shoulder has reacted, and then we can make a decision then who will play tomorrow.

“It’s just the nature of it, but no doubt we brought Vil (Viljami Sinisalo) in here to eventually be the number one goalkeeper, and everything to that plan is on point at this moment in time.

“He’s been very, very good. I’ve been really, really impressed with him in the games and it’s great to have that.”