Celtic defender Cristian Gamboa is facing a fight to be fit ahead of the new season after suffering an injury while on international duty, according to the Daily Record.
The newspaper claim on their website that the full-back was taken off in Costa Rica’s 1-1 draw against Canada in their Gold Cup clash, and that he has suffered a minor tear in his thigh muscle.
As a result the 27-year-old has been withdrawn from the rest of the competition, and will now focus on ensuring he is fit for Celtic’s Scottish Premiership opener against Hearts on August 5.
He has returned to his home country from the United States to recover, with the country’s team doctor stating he will have at least two weeks of treatment and therapy to ensure his injury recovers adequately.
The newspaper quote Dr Alejandro Ramirez as stating: “If he stayed with the squad, he would run the risk of his injury getting worse.
“We decided to withdraw him from the tournament and send him to Costa Rica for treatment.
“He will rest and then get two weeks of therapy there.”
Two weeks of rehab would leave Gamboa just a week before the opening league game, and so he is likely to be missing from Brendan Rodgers’ side.
He will join fellow defender Dedryck Boyata on the sidelines after the Belgian suffered a knee ligament rupture which has ruled him out for up to three months.
Right-back Gamboa was very much a squad player for the Hoops last season, making just 23 appearances and chipping in with a solitary assist following his transfer from Premier League side West Brom last summer.
He is an experienced international however, having made 57 appearances for Costa Rica since his debut in 2010, scoring three goals.