NafisaA return to Celtic has a “possibility” following Kyogo Furuhashi after the injury to Jota.
The 30-year-old has experienced a disastrous stint with Stade Rennes since departing the Scottish Premiership champions in January.
He has yet to register his first goal for the French side after his £10million switch, with dissatisfied boss Habib Beye handing the Japan international only one start so far.
And matters have only worsened for the forward in recent weeks – having failed to make the 21-man matchday squad for the last three fixtures.
A persistent shoulder issue that troubled him during his spell in Glasgow with Celtic – but Beye has insisted that the injury is not the reason behind the forward’s exclusion.
He said: “The squad is virtually complete. Only Ayanda Sishuba and Alidu Seidu are injured.”
He will now be hoping to earn a place for Saturday’s match against Nice – with Beye challenging his players to impress before the Ligue 1 season concludes.
With just two fixtures left, he said: “We have taken the team on as we went along. The group had to assimilate the level of intensity we imposed on them.
“It has nothing to do with their physical capacity, because we know they all have it.
“It’s more a question of the connection between each of them in terms of their state of mind and we want to see more of that from the players.
“We’ll take stock at the end of the season and assume our responsibilities.”
Winger Jota joined Celtic from Rennes in January with Kyogo heading the other way.
But after returning to Celtic Park, the Portuguese winger is now set for nine months on the sidelines due to injury – leaving Brendan Rodgers’ side lacking depth in the attacking department.
Speaking to Open Goal, host Paul Slane said he would do everything to bring Kyogo back for next season following Jota’s injury, with speculation in Japan growing over a potential return to the Hoops.
Former Rangers player Andy Halliday replied: “The mad thing is, there would be a chance as well. He’s not playing at all. I think he (Brendan Rodgers) would take him back.”
Nafisa
