Scott Brown may face an extended spell on the sidelines as he faces a second operation his ankle injury. The midfielder has not played since Hamburg visited Parkhead on October 22 and could visit a speacialist in London next week.
Brown underwent surgery on the problem during the close season but the injury has flared up again and an injection last month has failed to ease the pain for the Celtic and Scotland midfielder. Tony Mowbray has admitted he is frustrated at not being able to field the player and cannot guarantee when he will return to the first team.
“I think he’s going to go back to see the guy in London,” Mowbray said.
“It’s very frustrating for us all.”
The Celtic manager revealed that the nature of the injury meant that the competitive midfielder was unable to take heavy tackles as a result of the problem and that he wanted the injury cleared up for good. The player has been left out of George Burley’s Scotland squad for the match against Wales next weekend and will the break will be used to assess the best course of treatment.
“The last time he had his injection he said he felt fine and was moving well,” the Parkhead boss revealed.
“Obviously, though, the problem hasn’t gone away. One heavy challenge and he is back to square one, so we need to get to the bottom of it.
“I’m resigned to not having him for the next few weeks, but we want Scott fit for the long term.”
Mowbray has been boosted by the return to fitness of Barry Robson, and can also welcome Zheng Zhi back to the Celtic squad for Sunday’s match against Falkirk. The Parkhead club face a trip to Dundee United and a home match against St Mirren after the international break before hosting Hapoel Tel-Aviv in the Europa League on December 2.
Last updated: 08 November 2009, 08:28
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