Ange Postecoglou confirms Kyogo could be out for up to a month
The striker suffered an injury on international duty
Last updated 14th Sep 2021
Celtic striker Kyogo Furuhashi is set to miss up to a month of football after picking up an injury on international duty.
The Japan forward was forced off in the second half of their 1-0 win over China on Tuesday.
Hoops boss Ange Postecoglou has now confirmed that he will miss 'three to four weeks' after initial checks.
He said: "He picked up an injury playing with the national team.
"We have got him back and initial assessment shows we're looking at three to four weeks at this stage which means he'll miss the next few games.
"At the same time, he's pretty optimistic about working hard to get back. We'll just have to wait and see.
"It's disappointing for him because he has obviously had a great start to his Celtic career.
"We obviously wanted to keep that going and it helped us as well.
"We understand it's part of football, these things will happen and we just need to get on with it".
Switzerland international Ajeti has failed to pin down a regular first team spot since joining Celtic from West Ham on a four-year deal in August 2020, for a reported fee of #5million and has not scored in five appearances off the bench this season.
Postecoglou said: "I have said before I don't go around giving players cuddles but will give them opportunities when it comes and it is up to them.
"To be fair to Albian, he has worked his socks off in training and I know if the opportunity arrives for him tomorrow he has done everything he can to be in a good position to take it and it is up to him.
"If he starts banging goals in he makes it difficult for other players to take his position.''
Postecoglou, who also confirmed midfielder James McCarthy will be available after recovering from a knock but is still without winger James Forrest, reflected ruefully on the challenges he has already had to face in his short time as Parkhead boss.
He said: "You have got to love football. It's great. You have the best laid plans.
"We had challenges at the back in the first period, at full-back and centre-back, and we got through it by the skin of our teeth and now we have cover in all those areas which is great but we are a bit short at the other end.
"That is the challenges football puts up for us but I am still confident we will still be a good team going forward.
"If we can get through this period with Kyogo missing, Georgios getting up and running and without guys like James Forrest and Mikey Johnston, who hasn't played at all, then it will mean we have a stronger conviction about what we are doing moving forward.''