Brendan Rodgers has revealed that Celtic midfielder Paulo Bernardo will be out of action for the next ‘four to five weeks’ due to injury.
Bernardo started in Celtic’s 5-0 Scottish Cup victory over Raith Rovers last Saturday but was forced to leave the pitch after sustaining an ankle injury during a tackle.
The Portuguese midfielder attempted to continue after receiving treatment, but it became clear he was unable to play on and was substituted.
He was absent from Celtic’s 2-1 loss to Bayern Munich in the Champions League on Wednesday, with Rodgers initially hopeful the injury wasn’t serious. However, the Northern Irish manager has now confirmed ahead of Celtic’s weekend clash with Dundee United that Bernardo will be sidelined for several weeks.
Celtic star Paulo Bernardo injured for ‘four to five weeks’:
Bernardo has already featured in 36 games for Celtic this season, contributing three goals and four assists across all competitions. He is now likely to miss the next five Premiership matches, as Rodgers stated: “Paulo will be out for a few weeks.
“He’s got his ankle in a boot, so he’ll be four or five weeks. Everyone else is fit and available after Wednesday night’s game.
“With so many games, the squad depth is needed. Paulo has done great for us this season. What we’ve tried to do with all of the players is keep them fit by rotating and maximising the whole squad.
“Sadly, he’s out for a little while, but we do have good numbers in that position.”
Positive James Forrest injury update
On a more positive note, Rodgers shared that winger James Forrest returned to light training on Thursday. Forrest has not played for the Hoops since his involvement in the Premier Sports Cup final win over Rangers in December.
After finishing that game, Forrest was seen wearing a protective cast on his foot and was expected to be out for six weeks. However, his absence has extended longer than initially anticipated. Rodgers has now indicated that Forrest should be back in action in the coming weeks.
Rodgers said of Forrest: “He had his first day out on the pitch yesterday, starting to move and jog. Hopefully, in the coming weeks, he’ll be coming back.
“I said that to him (he came alive at this time last season). I said that to him, ‘in February or March you came and saved the day.’
“He’s a brilliant player and made a great contribution at the beginning of the season for us as well. He’ll be a great addition when he comes back.
“He’s nowhere near that (a return this week). He is just planting his foot out on the grass yesterday for the first time. It’s going to be still a few weeks yet.”
Forrest is one of Celtic’s most decorated players of all time and needs just one more trophy to surpass Bobby Lennox as the club’s most successful player.
