Brendan Rodgers has revealed Reo Hatate could return to action for Celtic against Rangers.
The Japanese midfielder is back in first team training but is yet to make his comeback to competitive action.
However, Rodgers has confirmed Hatate is making good progress on his rehab from a hamstring issue.
And Celtic fans could even see Hatate in the coming days with matches against Dundee and Rangers to come before New Year. In his latest update Rodgers hailed Hatate as looking "strong and fit".
Asked whether Hatate will be back involved on matchdays in the next couple of outings, Rodgers explained: “Possibly but we have to see on that. He's been on the grass and he’s been working well.
“He looks strong and fit, we just have to assess and weigh up the risk, which is the key one.
“For the second part of the season it'll be huge for us. He's such an instrumental player and he gives the team a dynamic.
“He hasn't featured so much but I know in a game he came into earlier in the season the whole speed of the game was different."
While Hatate could return in a major boost, Rodgers was less confident of Liel Abada returning before the new year - but predicted a major impact when he does eventually return.
The Israel international was injured on duty with his country and hasn't featured for Celtic since the 1-0 win over Rangers in September.
On Abada, Rodgers told the Scottish Sun: “Liel is getting there as well, we just have to see because he's been out for a little while.
“If it's not for the next few games then certainly Liel will be a great help in the second part of the season."
