Jota is set to rejoin Celtic training at Lennoxtown next week as he continues his recovery from the serious knee injury that has kept him out of action for the past 15 months.
The Portuguese winger has been rehabilitating in his homeland following anterior cruciate ligament surgery and is expected to resume work with the club on Monday. However, manager Martin O’Neill insists the 26-year-old remains some distance away from first-team contention.
“He’s back with us on Monday,” O’Neill said via Daily Record. “But being back and being fit are two different things.
“I think he is doing a little bit out on the grass. Doing straight-line running for a cruciate is different to doing twists and turns and stuff like this. But he’s been out a long time, and I think he feels as if it’s doing fine.
“Until he’s really nearly fit to play, I’m sorry, you just have to dismiss him in that sense.
“I can’t keep thinking every single day ‘When is he going to be playing?’. I have already dismissed him until Halloween, perhaps.
“But who knows how people come back. I’m sorry, it’s rather cruel but you just have to leave it, he’s not involved. I can’t worry about something that might be three months down the line.”
Away from the injury front, O’Neill confirmed Celtic have put a new contract proposal to striker Kelechi Iheanacho as they look to retain the Nigerian beyond this season.
“There’s an offer there to him at this minute. So we’ll see how that develops,” O’Neill said.
The Celtic boss also played down reports suggesting Nottingham Forest have submitted a bid for midfielder Arne Engels, saying he has received no indication that an offer has arrived.
Meanwhile, recent signing Camilo Duran was absent from training after falling ill. The £5.5 million arrival from Qarabag will be monitored before a decision is made on his involvement in Tuesday night’s pre-season fixture against Sporting CP at the Estadio Algarve.
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1 Comment
MoN is still facing the prospect of whether Jota, can be considered within his 25man European squad, all the same imo?
He would be unavailable for the first 4 games of a league phase, but could well be available for the next 4 matches, later in the campaign?
No doubt that that a place would be available for him, if fully fit?
That potential decision, has also a knock on effect, for how MoN, intends upon options in our wider areas?
With 3 already in place, with Seb,Forrest and Yang, and even Duran is meant to be able to play in the wide position also?
Then already potential options, but wouldn’t say that is sufficient for the season ahead either imo?
Still believe that an attacking front 3, will remain in place?
Growing rumours upon another wide option being added to our squad also?
So could MoN leave a position open for the possibility of a Jota return for europe?
Think that decision won’t be made until the back end of August?
Which could well mean that a loan option could be considered, especially if we sign another wide player?
Plus we still could have Balikwisha, and whether he comes good or not?
Personally think our 25man European squad, will consist of 8 attacking options within it imo?
Even now, with the uncertainty surrounding our attacking options, within the squad building process?
There is still decisions to be made, upon where players could potentially fit into the positions available within the squad building process also?
Potentially could well involve Jota also? But still think it might be January, where the 3 changes could be applied, if we are able to advance out of the league phase?
So hardly a straightforward decision awaits MoN, regarding Jota in the bigger picture of next season, all the same imo?
Don’t think we are in a position to totally rule out the quality Jota may be able to provide? Just yet either?