Celtic fans were expecting to see Stephen Welsh feature on Sunday after the young defender penned a new contract last Friday.
However, manager Brendan Rodgers has now provided a more detailed update on Welsh’s injury, revealing a longer recovery period than initially reported.
Speaking about the unfortunate incident, Rodgers said [Viaplay], “It’s just really unfortunate for Stephen. Right at the end of training, he landed awkwardly, and he ruptured the ligaments in his ankle which will mean he needs an operation.” This development has set back Welsh’s return timeline significantly, with Rodgers estimating a recovery period of “around three to four months”, not the two months that was reported in the press.
This news comes as a blow to both the player and the team. Welsh had shown promise in his pre-season appearances.
His absence will be felt as Celtic navigates its fixtures in the coming months, especially with injuries already hampering the backline.
Rodgers expressed his sympathy for the young defender, acknowledging the timing of the injury as particularly unfortunate given Welsh’s recent contract extension and his anticipated role in the match against Kilmarnock.
Celtic’s medical team will undoubtedly be working closely with Welsh to ensure a smooth recovery process. In the meantime, Rodgers and his squad will need to adjust their strategies and line-ups to compensate for the loss of the defender.
