Injury expert suggests Jota ruled out for seven weeks after Celtic update
Celtic could be without Jota for as long as seven weeks after an update on his hamstring injury.
That is the view of injury expert Ben Dinnery, who runs the Premier Injuries website and has a background in medicine and data analysis.
Speaking to Sky Sports on Wednesday (8 December), Ange Postecoglou confirmed Jota, 22, will miss the Scottish League Cup final on December 19th.
The Hoops boss confirmed it would be a “three to four week” recovery period, with the injury sustained on December 2nd.
However, with all Premiership clubs set for a winter break between January 3rd and January 21st, Dinnery suggested the Hoops could be without the winger for seven weeks from when he picked up the problem.
Dinnery told Football Insider’s Russell Edge: “Look, it’s very much touch and go. It depends on the player’s response to treatment.
“We talk about external factors maybe influencing a possible return to play. Should Celtic go on a run and they keep winning games, then the pressures to maybe throw Jota back in the team lessens almost.
“You’re making that decision. Why take any chances? Why throw anybody in there?
“Two or three weeks? Yeah, but I think those decisions will be probably taken game week to game week. There will always be context to those decisions.
“If a player is returning and he does decide to sort of throw him back in, then you could be looking at maybe just minutes from the bench.
“With a return to maybe like a full, proper training during that winter break.”
Starting with tonight’s clash against Real Betis, Celtic have eight games before the winter break.
That includes the League Cup final and a home tie against Rangers on January 2nd.
In other news, Celtic are plotting to replace a 2021 signing already after a Sky update.