|
|
Efe Ambrose is unlikely to start against Juventus, admits Neil Lennon
Feb 10, 2013 4:16:00 PM
The Celtic boss does not believe that the defender will be ready for a place in his XI after playing in Nigeria's Africa Cup of Nations final against Burkina Faso on Sunday
Celtic manager Neil Lennon has revealed that Efe Ambrose is unlikely to start in Tuesday's Champions League last 16 clash against Juventus due to the proximity of the fixture to the Africa Cup of Nations final.Ambrose is expected to start for Nigeria when they take on Burkina Faso on Sunday and then faces a long flight back to Scotland.
Lennon, therefore, doubts the defender will be fresh enough for a place in his starting XI as he is unlikely to return to the country until Monday evening at the earliest.
"He seems to think he will be back on Monday evening or the early hours of Tuesday; we will assess him and see how he is," Lennon told reporters. "It's difficult for me to think he will be in a starting position."
 |
FORTRESS GLASGOW |
| 7/2 | Celtic are 7/2 with Bet365 to beat Juventus in the Champions League on Tuesday |
The Hoops have struggled with injuries in recent weeks but Lennon is hopeful that James Forrest, Georgios Samaras, Emilio Izaguirre and Fraser Forster will all be available for the visit of the Serie A champions.
"Forrest is fine, he has had the two scans and he came through all clear so he will be in the squad," the manager confirmed.
"He [Forster] is fine, there is no reaction to his injury and he will be ready for Tuesday.
"They [Samaras and Izaguirre] are rehabilitating very well. I think Emilio will be fine, now we are waiting on Sami and we won't know, maybe until Monday."
| Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
| Sign up to Paddy Power for £250 in free bets |
|
| Sign up today with Coral and get a £50 FREE bet - no strings attached! |
|
| Sign up today with BetVictor and get a £25 FREE BET! |
|
Related Stories
Inside Goal.Com
-
Top 10 all-time Champions League scorers
As the competition moves within days of its much-anticipated conclusion at Wembley, Goal profiles the most prolific players in its history
-
'Mario, you will never redeem yourself'
Mario Gotze's injury means the playmaker has now played his final game for Borussia Dortmund. In an open letter, a fan tells of his emotion at his controversial switch to Bayern
-
BVB's rise from the abyss to European contenders
BVB have recovered from teetering on the edge of bankruptcy to take their place on Europe's grandest stage, humbling their opponents on Saturday, Bayern Munich, along the way
-
Transfer Talk: Mourinho wants Isco at Chelsea
Get your daily dose of all the speculation from around the globe as clubs cast their eye towards summer reinforcements
-
Top 10 Champions League Final Moments
As Europe braces itself for an all German classic at Wembley on Saturday, Goal.com takes a look back at some of the iconic moments in the history of Uefa's showpiece event since its rebranding in 1992.
