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Celtic's Leigh Griffiths out injured as Moussa Dembele returns to training

Celtic's Olivier Ntcham (left) and Moussa Dembele in good spirits at Lennoxtown
Image: Olivier Ntcham (left) and Moussa Dembele in good spirits at Lennoxtown

Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers has confirmed Leigh Griffiths will not be involved against Hamilton on Friday night - but says the Scotland striker and Moussa Dembele could yet feature against Paris St Germain on Tuesday.

Griffiths has been shouldering the attacking burden in Dembele's absence but aggravated a calf problem in Scotland's 2-0 win over Malta on Tuesday night.

Rodgers strengthened his attacking hand before the end of the transfer window in the shape of two loan recruits - the returning Manchester City winger Patrick Roberts and young prospect Odsonne Edouard from PSG.

Patrick Roberts fitting right in back at Lennoxtown after his return to Celtic
Image: Patrick Roberts is also back with Celtic - but has not played 90 minutes since the Scottish Cup final

Both took part in training on Thursday, along with the returning Dembele, but only Edouard has a chance of being involved at New Douglas Park, after quickly adapting to his new environment, according to Rodgers.

The Northern Irishman said: "I don't think Leigh can play tomorrow (Friday), it's as simple as that.

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"He came off (on Monday) and he had a scan on his calf. We think he will be fine for Tuesday but yes, there is too much risk.

"Leigh took a knock on his calf and he has had these issues with his calves but we are hopeful this is not going to be that long and the Astroturf pitch at Hamilton is not ideal for him.

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"There is a chance (Edouard could start).

Celtic's new signing Odsonne Edouard limbers up
Image: Celtic's new signing Odsonne Edouard limbers up ahead of training

"He is in the squad. He is very quick, very dynamic, technically very strong, of course he is still adapting.

"I don't think he has ever trained at 11 o'clock in the morning in the rain and with the floodlights on. He looked a bit cold this morning. He will be adapting to Scottish football."

French striker Dembele has only played in the two Champions League qualifiers against Linfield this season after damaging his hamstring and Rodgers is urging caution on his return.

Celtic striker Moussa Dembele is challenged by Mark Stafford of Linfield
Image: Dembele injured his hamstring in the Champions League qualifier against Linfield

He said: "He went to Clairefontaine in France for three weeks and did some great work with the medical team there, like he did here before he left.

"He is now back and we will assess him to see where he is at. The most important thing is that we can't risk it.

"Of course everyone would love to be involved in the Paris game but if not then he is not going to be too far away from that and then he is still going to have an impact for the remainder of the Champions League campaign, which is great news.

"But we have to be sure that he is right if he has any involvement in the game on Tuesday."

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