Brendan Rodgers hasn’t ruled Erik Sviachenko out of next week’s return leg against Astana.
The defender will miss tomorrow’s first leg tie in Kazakhstan with a groin strain with some reports claiming that the injury could take three weeks to clear.
With Dedryck Boyata and Jozo Simunovic still to kick a ball this season Sviachenko’s injury couldn’t have come at the worst possible time. For good measure Kristoffer Ajer is also out of contention with a hand injury.
Rodgers could be forced into going with Eoghan O’Connell and Efe Ambrose tomorrow but tried to look on the bright side as he delivered an update on Sviachenko’s injury.
“He had been working well but unfortunately before the game (against Leicester) he picked up a groin strain and is unavailable for tomorrow night. We will assess it and see if he will be available for second leg.
“We will see when we get back and assess it from there. Just depends. A slight groin strain on the Friday so we will wait and see.”
Kolo Toure signed a 12 month deal on Sunday with Rodgers admitting that the former Liverpool defender wasn’t far away from being included in his squad for the first leg.
“He was close to being available,” the hoops boss admitted. “Felt it would be unfair to bring him with just having one day with the team.
“After a good week’s training and some game-time at the weekend, I would expect him to play some part next week.”
Stefan Johansen isn’t available for tomorrow although Nir Bitton did travel.