Celtic manager Martin O'Neill has confirmed that right-back Alistair Johnston will be sidelined until October after suffering another muscular injury. The news comes as O'Neill also revealed that defender Auston Trusty is fit for Tuesday's Champions League play-off second leg against LASK.
Johnston's setback
Johnston, who missed most of last season with a hamstring tear, pulled up with another muscular injury against Kilmarnock earlier this month. The Canada international has since sat out wins over Dundee United and LASK, and after undergoing further scans, he has been dealt another setback.
O'Neill said: "There was definitely something there. I think the prognosis is sometime in October for him. Yeah (it's a blow)."
Trusty set to face LASK
Trusty missed training at Parkhead this morning before Celtic flew out to Linz for the play-off second leg, but O'Neill confirmed the American defender travelled with the squad and is likely to be involved for the £40million clash.
He said: "Yeah, he's travelled. He had an upset stomach this morning. But he's with us. He'll hopefully be okay for tomorrow. Everyone else has travelled."
Defensive reinforcements wanted
O'Neill admits he is in the market for further defensive reinforcements, particularly with Kieran as the only left-sided full-back. He said: "Yeah. We need to have a look. If you consider that Kieran is essentially our only left-sided full-back, we'll have a little look.
"But I'm not concentrating on anything at all until after the game. Regardless of the result, we've got some days before the transfer deadline and I hope we'll be able to get some people in."
The Celtic boss also confirmed that the club's transfer business will not depend on whether they qualify for the Champions League. He said: "No. I hope that regardless of the result, we'll be in European football anyway, that will take us through until January, so I think that we still have to strengthen."
