Naka plans swift return

But Mizuno facing three months on the sidelines

Last updated: 1st August 2008   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Naka plans swift return

Nakamura: Hernia surgery

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Celtic star Shunsuke Nakamura believes he will be fit to feature in the Bhoys' opening league game of the season against St Mirren.

The Japan international only underwent surgery on his hernia in Germany on Thursday, but has set his sights on a place on the bench for the 10th August meeting at Celtic Park.

Free-kick specialist Nakamura accepts he may be lacking some match fitness and is eager to catch up with his colleagues as soon as possible.

Working

He told the Evening Times: "I want to be on the bench for the opening match against St Mirren on 10th August.

"But my team-mates have all had the preparation to play in that game, and I have to do that, too.

"I will be working to be able to play throughout the season. I want to win four-in-a-row and go as far as possible in the Champions League."

Nakamura's swift return will be welcomed by manager Gordon Strachan, who faces being without Koki Mizuno for at least the next three months.

An operation on the Japanese winger's knee on Monday has discovered that his cartilage injury is worse than first feared.

Mizuno was only expected to miss a couple of weeks of action, but Strachan has now been informed that he will not be fit to return to training until the end of October.