A return to proceedings for Celtic defender Maik Nawrocki is imminent, according to manager Brendan Rodgers.
The 22-year-old, signed from Polish side Legia Warsaw in the summer, has been unavailable for selection since picking up an injury in Celtic’s defeat to Kilmarnock in the League Cup two months ago.
Rodgers, speaking to Celtic TV, gave a positive injury update about Nawrocki, as well as how fellow injured teammates Liel Abada and Stephen Welsh are getting on with their respective rehabilitations. He said: "He [Nawrocki] is doing very well and trained over the last week or so.
“We only have Stephen Welsh and Liel Abada who will hopefully be back in December time. Thankfully the injuries are starting to ease off and we’re starting to get numbers back in what’s going to be a busy part of the season. You always know you will have injuries.
"I just think at the beginning of the season that aligned with new players coming in and trying to adapt and settle was the challenge."
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Nawrocki made his first appearance for Celtic in the 4-2 win over Ross County on Flag Day. He then followed that up with an impressive performance against Aberdeen at Pittodrie, with his side running out 3-1 winners. However, he picked his hamstring injury up in the next game – the aforementioned game against Kilmarnock – which ruled him out for an estimated two months.
This injury – coupled with absences to both Cameron Carter-Vickers and Welsh – has allowed for a career resurgence with regard to Liam Scales, who has been a standout performer over the past few months. With Carter-Vickers a stick-on following his return from injury, it is up to Nawrocki to dislodge Scales from that other defensive position in the centre.
Regardless, Celtic now have a plethora of options at the back to choose from, as their defensive reinforcements now indicate a strength in depth in that position. Celtic can also call upon Sweden international Gustaf Lagerbielke, who scored his first goal for his country last week. Scales made his first two appearances for the Republic of Ireland in this time, too.
Join Ryan McGinlay and special guest Ryan Fitzsimons in Thursday’s edition of the morning briefing, as they discuss all the latest news and developments regarding the club.
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