Vakoun Bayo is hoping to be back in training next week but is likely to find himself downgraded to Celtic’s fifth choice striker.
The Ivorian looked to be making in-roads into the Celtic side a year ago, impressing Neil Lennon in pre-season games then starting against Hearts ahead of Leigh Griffiths when Odsonne Edouard was injured.
Bayo was responsible for two goals that day even though the SPFL opted to credit them as own goals but an injury away to Aberdeen in October put him back out the picture.
Patryk Klimala was signed in January to increase competition for places just as Leigh Griffiths came back to top form, over the next 48 hours Albian Ajeti is expected to sign on loan from West Ham as Bayo attempts to get over another hamstring injury.
Covering the post-match media conference after beating Hibs 3-2 the Daily Record reports Neil Lennon saying:
Bayo is out with a hamstring injury but we are hoping he will be fit at some stage next week. But that game will have done both Leigh and Patryk the world of good.
Even with five substitutes allowed in the season starting on Sunday it’s difficult to see a set of circumstances that will bring Bayo back into contention for a first team place.