The speedster played no minutes for his country in the October international break
Daizen Maeda(Image: AP)
Celtic have been left sweating over the fitness of Daizen Maeda after the forward pulled out of the Japan squad due to injury.
Maeda was included in the Samurai Blue roster for their friendly double header against Paraguay and Brazil, with the Asian country having already secured their spot in next year’s World Cup finals in North America.
However, the Hoops favourite was an unused substitute in the 2-2 draw with Paraguay and will play no part in the clash with Brazil after the Japanese FA confirmed his withdrawal from the squad because of a leg injury.
The 27-year-old will return to Lennoxtown for treatment but faces a race against the clock to prove his fitness to Brendan Rodgers for next Sunday’s trip to Dundee.
His absence will likely see Kelechi Iheanacho retain his place through the middle, with Sebastian Tounekti, Michel-Ange Balikwisha, James Forrest and Yang jostling for the wide slots either side of the Nigerian frontman.
Tunisia star Tounekti was left out of his country’s 6-0 win over Sao Tome and Principe in World Cup qualifying on Friday night with a reported thigh problem but is expected to return for the home fixture with Namibia on Monday.
Maeda scooped up multiple player of the year awards last season after banging in 33 goals in all competitions, including four in the Champions League.
However the speedster has not been able to replicate that form in the new campaign, scoring just three times in his first 13 matches, but did bag the winner in the dramatic 3-2 triumph against Motherwell before the international break.
The former Yokohama Marinos star saw a Parkhead exit late in the summer transfer window blocked but recently declared his willingness to continue to give his all in the green-and-white.
Speaking in his homeland, he said: “I received an offer. I had been telling the club that I wanted to take the next step, but Celtic hadn’t been able to strengthen their squad properly, so in the end they told me they couldn’t let me go.
“Personally, I had agreed, so I wanted to take on the challenge. The national team also delayed my joining, and I asked Celtic until the last day, but it didn’t happen.
Celtic players celebrate Daizen Maeda’s winner(Image: PA)
“I’ve decided to stay at Celtic, so I want to do my best as a member of the team.”
Follow Record Sport on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for all of the up-to-the minute breaking news, video and audio on the SPFL, the Scotland national team and beyond.
You can get all the news you need on our dedicated Celtic pages and sign up to our newsletters to make sure you never miss a beat throughout the season.
We’re also on WhatsApp where we bring all the latest breaking news and transfer gossip directly to you phone. Join our Celtic community here.
AloJapan.com