Celtic defender Alistair Johnston is set to be sidelined until after next month's international break after suffering a fresh hamstring injury, manager Martin O'Neill has confirmed.
Johnston made his comeback in Sunday's 2-1 win over Hibs at Easter Road, coming on as a second-half substitute, but lasted only around 20 minutes before going off again. O'Neill has now revealed that the issue is not the same hamstring injury that has kept the Canadian out since August.
Fresh Injury Not a Recurrence
“It’s not the same [hamstring] injury,” O'Neill explained. “It’ll be a shorter term for him, he believes, and so do the medical team. I can’t see him involved before the international break.”
The manager's update suggests the problem is less serious than the previous layoff, easing fears of another lengthy absence for the right-back.
Donovan Continues in Defence
With Johnston unavailable, Colby Donovan will continue on the right-hand side of defence. The 20-year-old recently signed a new five-year contract with his boyhood club and was involved with the Scotland national team for the first time after Sebastien Pocognoli included him in his first ever squad for September and October's Nations League games.
Donovan will be hoping to make the cut for November's squad to earn a chance of making his international debut.
Following the latest update, Johnston is set to miss tomorrow night's clash with Dundee Utd, Sunday's trip to Falkirk, and the visit of Kilmarnock on November 8 before the Premiership takes a pause.
