Jota closing in on Celtic return as O'Neill delivers positive training update

Conor Spence Celtic Shorts Conor Spence Martin O'Neill has revealed Jota could make his long-awaited Celtic return sooner than expected as the winger steps up his recovery from an anterior cruciate ligament injury. The Portuguese star has been sidelined since suffering the serious knee injury last April and endured several setbacks during his rehabilitation. However, Jota is now back involved in contact training with his Celtic teammates and has been taking part in small-sided matches. The winger was initially expected to return around Halloween and was left out of Celtic's 25-man Europa League squad, but O'Neill believes he could now be available ahead of schedule. 'He's coming along very well. Again, it's disappointing to not have him for Europe,' O'Neill said via Daily Record. 'He's been out a long time and who knows, in the last three games in the Europa League we could have done with him. 'Its been a long time but he's been doing really well in small-sided matches he's been involved in. He's not been stretched too much yet, but that will come over this month. He might be ready more quickly than I thought.' There was also a positive update on Alistair Johnston, with O'Neill hopeful the Canadian international could return ahead of his original October recovery date. Johnston has not featured since suffering a hamstring injury against Kilmarnock at the beginning of August. Celtic will, however, be without the in-form Hyun-jun Yang for the next few weeks after the winger was selected as one of South Korea's three overage players for the Asian Games. Yang has scored in each of his last two Celtic appearances but will miss Wednesday's trip to St Johnstone, the upcoming double-header against Rangers and the Europa League opener against Ferencvaros. There is plenty at stake for the 24-year-old, with victory at the Asian Games earning him exemption from South Korea's mandatory military service. O'Neill said, 'He's done really well. South Korea have to win that competition for him to be excused from national service. Japan are in there too, so that is strong opposition. I think he's ordered himself to win it!'