O’Neill hit with fresh injury blow

Auston Trusty is the latest injury worry for Martin O’Neill.

The defender has been used sparingly at international level but managed 90 minutes for the USA in their 2-0 defeat from Portugal.

Unfortunately Trusty picked up what appeared to be a knee injury in stoppage time, forcing a very late substitution.

US Soccer Players reported:

USA: 24-Matt Freese, 16-Alex Freeman (7-Gio Reyna, 79), 3-Chris Richards (capt.), 2-Auston Trusty (22-Mark McKenzie, 90+1), 5-Antonee Robinson (18-Max Arfsten, 46); 14-Sebastian Berhalter (11-Brenden Aaronson, 79), 23-Aidan Morris (4-Cristian Roldan, 79); 21-Tim Weah (20-Folarin Balogun, 67), 8-Weston McKennie (6-Tanner Tessman, 45), 17-Malik Tillman (19-Joe Scally, 67); 10-Christian Pulisic (25-Patrick Agyemang, 46)
Substitutes not used: 1-Matt Turner, 26-Chris Brady, 27-Patrick Schulte, 9-Ricardo Pepi, 13-Tim Ream
Head coach: Mauricio Pochettino

News of the latest injury to hit Celtic comes alongside confirmation that Cameron Carter-Vickers won’t play again this season.

In defence Alistair Johnston is in the final stage of his recovery from hamstring surgery. After five appearances this season Celtic can’t be expecting too much from their Canadian defender.

Colby Donovan suffered a knee injury during Celtic’s defeat to Dundee United with no word from the club on the extent on that injury.

Over Thursday and Friday O’Neill will see his  squad return to training at Lennoxtown.

Having an extra day to prepare for the weekend match at Dundee is likely to be a bonus although Celtic kick-off after their two title challengers.

Injury news has tended to dominate Celtic issues in recent weeks.

Julian Araujo and Tomas Cvancara missed the defeat at Dundee United on March 22 with little follow up news.

On the positive side Arne Engels should be close to a return after being out with a thigh injury sustained on February 11.

If Trusty is out injured Dane Murray will come back into contention, assuming that he is injury free.