Celtic injury situation as four players reach comebacks following lengthy layoffs…

Brendan Rodgers has dealt with a slew of injuries since taking over as Celtic manager.

But the Northern Irishman won’t have to wait long until his key players return to action. The likes of Liel Abada and Reo Hatate have spent the majority of the season on the sidelines, but the Treble-winning combination is nearing the end of their rehabs.

Similarly, livewire Daizen Maeda is on the verge of a return, while a big-money summer acquisition will be hoping for a fresh start after recovering from a horrific hamstring injury. Here’s the latest on Celtic injuries…

1. Maik Nawrocki

   The £4.3 million Polish defender has been absent since suffering a hamstring injury in the 1-0 Viaplay Cup defeat at Rugby Park. The ex-Legia Warsaw stopper is back in full training at Lennoxtown but hasn’t been included in a matchday squad since the start of November. The 22-year-old looked decent in his first three displays for the Hoops and must now prove his worth over the coming months.

2. Liel Abada

   The winger picked up a thigh injury on international duty for Israel back in September, but it’s believed the 22-year-old is now back in training. Whether or not Abada will be back in contention for the December 30 visit of the Rangers remains to be seen, but the Celts have certainly missed his predatory instincts in front of goal. His return will be a huge boost to Brendan Rodgers.

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   Daizen Maeda

   Maeda suffered a knee injury in the challenge that cost him a red card during the 6-0 Champions League mauling against Atletico Madrid. The Japan attacker was expected to be out for around six weeks, but he’s back in training at Lennoxtown and could return to action in the next couple of weeks.

4. Reo Hatate

   Hatate hasn’t had much luck with injuries over the last 12 months or so, and Rodgers admitted last week that his return to action will be like a new signing. Celts have missed his creativity and dynamism in the middle of the park, but it’s understood the 26-year-old won’t be available until after the SPFL winter shut down in January.