Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers had endured a tough time with injury problems that have stretched his squad thin over the course of this campaign.
At present, club captain Callum McGregor and Japanese midfielder Reo Hatate are among two of the most notable Bhoys sidelined due to respective fitness; however, both are set to return after the international break.
Cameron Carter-Vickers was ruled out of our 4-2 triumph over Livingston in the Scottish Cup quarter-final last weekend; nevertheless, Rodgers has confirmed that he will re-enter the fold at training ahead of our home clash against St Johnstone.
The Irishman also allayed fears of a longer-term setback for the United States international, stating: “We will have a look at Cameron Carter Vickers; he should be fine, it was a precaution. I spoke to Cam at length this morning (Wednesday), he just feels everything is based from around his knee operation.”
Honduran winger Luis Palma also picked up a knock that led him to miss our home tie against the Lions last week. He has since been at the centre of confusion as his national side has been trying to call him up for their upcoming Copa America play-off against Costa Rica.
Luis Palma injury timeline emerges for Celtic amid fresh update
Earlier today, the Honduras national team released a statement on social media detailing that Palma will now take no part in their fixture against Costa Rica; however, when digging a little deeper, their official communication doesn’t make brilliant reading for Celtic.
In translation, the statement actually reveals that Palma could be in rehabilitation for a period of three to four weeks, which wouldn’t guarantee his fitness for either of our crucial away clashes against Livingston or Rangers at Ibrox on the other side of the international break.
Revealing input from Celtic’s medical team, the document reads: “The Honduran Football Federation informs the Honduran football fans and sports press that the player Luis Palma has been disqualified due to medical incapacity from his call-up to the national team coached by Professor Reinaldo Rueda.
“According to the information received by the FENAFUTH General Secretariat, the medical department of Celtic FC, the club to which the player belongs, has indicated that MRI studies were carried out on the selected player, Palma, who presented muscular discomfort in his right leg.
“The imaging study confirms the presence of a low grade muscular injury in the proximal third of the right soleus which, according to the clinical tests carried out and the correlation with the imaging studies formulate the following diagnosis: Grade I muscle lesion of the proximal third of the right soleus in the myotendinous junction according to Prakash and UEFA ECIS classification.
“According to the medical department of the national team of Honduras and assessing
all the clinical information supported by images sent by his counterparts of Celtic FC, it is estimated the player will undergo a rehabilitation period of 3 to 4 weeks before returning to competition (translated via Deep L).”
Losing Luis Palma to injury would be a major blow for Celtic
Should Palma miss a substantial amount of football, Celtic would lose one of their most profitable outlets in front of goal.
This term, the 24-year-old has registered nine strikes and ten assists in 30 appearances, alongside holding the title of the Bhoys’ most productive creator of opportunities in the Scottish Premiership, having fashioned 12 ‘big chances’ for his teammates on league duty [Fotmob].
Interestingly, Palma has also reposted the official statement from the Honduran FA, which has left Celtic boss Rodgers with another frustrating injury problem to contend with.
Receive a digest of our best Celtic content each week direct to your mailbox
