Last Updated: Thu, 19 Nov 2009 11:37
Celtic may be without up to five regulars in Sunday's clash at Dundee United with Artur Boruc, Scott Brown and Shaun Maloney all out.
Hoops boss Tony Mowbray has confirmed the trio have "no chance" of being fit for the trip to Tannadice while skipper Stephen McManus is suspended and fellow centre-back Glenn Loovens is also carrying a knock.
Mowbray said of Boruc, Brown and Maloney: "They are not ready to train this week, so it's not a question of rushing them back.
"They are trying to get fit and are working with the medical staff. It's frustrating because they are all influential players for us, but we have to accept the situation and move on."
Mowbray appears to have survived the World Cup play-offs without suffering any further setbacks, though, as Aiden McGeady and Georgios Samaras seem to have got through their games with Ireland and Greece respectively without any issues.