Stephen Robinson is refusing to set a comeback date for David Turnbull.
The midfielder was at the centre of transfer drama during the summer when Motherwell announced that they had agreed a transfer fee with Celtic.
The player’s agent then tried to get a better deal elsewhere but after visiting Norwich City Turnbull decided that moving to Celtic was his best career move.
Neil Lennon told Sky Sports that he expected the deal to go through but after having an interview for Celtic TV recorded problems kicked in when a medical highlighted a major knee problem.
The two clubs failed to agree a new deal with Turnbull remaining with Motherwell to complete his rehabilitation.
Recently the 20-year-old has been pictured training with his team-mates but his manager isn’t putting a date on his return to action.
Robinson told the Daily Record:
We are doing everything to make sure he’s 100 per cent right for the rest of his career. He looks very, very good at this moment but with the surgeon and our physio we are guided by exactly what they want us to do.
We have the top physio in the country in David Henderson. He is top class in the way he works with David and all the players.
Turnbull is out of contract at the end of next season leaving the player and club in a difficult situation.
The club has paid out for the expense of his operation and rehab but in June 2021 he could move on for just a token development fee.
Last month Motherwell sold striker James Scott to Hull City for an initial fee of £1.5m.