Neil Lennon looks to have received a fresh injury blow after it emerged that winger Mohamed Elyounoussi has left the Norway squad due to a foot injury.
The 25-year-old has returned back to Scotland without playing a game for his country – with Lars Lagerback’s side due to face the Faroe Islands and Malta over the next few days.
But Elyounoussi won’t be joining Kristoffer Ajer on the pitch for the clashes – as Lagerback confirmed the news.
“Unfortunately, Mohamed has an injured foot and can’t play against the Faroe Islands or Malta,” he said, as reported by the Daily Record.
“He has left the squad and returned to his club.”
Elyounoussi was just getting back into Norway groove
While little else is known about the extent of Elyounoussi’s injury, the news will be another blow for Lennon. On Thursday, we told you how right-back Hatem Abd Elhamed was set to miss the next six weeks through injury. Now another summer recruit could be missing when the team return from the international break.
Elyounoussi has been in scintillating form in recent weeks. The former Basel man has netted six goals in our past seven games including a double at Hampden against Hibernian.
After that win, Lennon told the BBC: “What you’re seeing now is the player Southampton spent £16m for.
“That is his best performance since he’s come in. His intelligence on the ball, link-up play and fitness levels are incredible.
“We’re delighted he’s making us better and we’re delighted we’re making him better.”
With some big games on the horizon, Lennon and the Celtic fanbase will hope that the news on Elyounoussi isn’t too bad. We should be able to get by without the 25-year-old in our first four matches after the break.
However, the derby Betfred Cup final against Rangers is looming in less than a month. With Elhamed already ruled out, Lennon will want to avoid any more bad news on the injury front.
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