Celtic struck with major injury blow as Brendan Rodgers confirms star ruled out for FIVE weeks

Celtic have been hit with an injury blow with Paulo Bernardo facing up to five weeks on the sidelines. But boss Brendan Rodgers is set to get a boost with James Forrest taking a big step on the comeback trail.

Bernardo has been ruled out of Tuesday’s Champions League play-off second leg against Bayern Munich and beyond after picking an ankle injury suffered in the Scottish Cup victory against Raith Rovers last week. Rodgers had hoped the Portuguese playmaker would be back for the Bayern return but scans have shown the damage is worse than expected.

The Celtic gaffer said: “Paulo has got his ankle in a boot. So, yeah, so he'll be maybe four or five weeks. Paolo's obviously done great for us this season and what we've tried to do with all the players is try and show we keep them fit by rotating and maximising the whole squad.

"Obviously, sadly, he's out for another little while. But like you say, we've still got good numbers in that position. With so many games, it's needed.”

Bernardo is out but Forrest’s return is on the horizon after the winger resumed training. The 34-year-old limped out of the League Cup Final win against Rangers in December but is one the comeback trail. Forrest won’t make tomorrow’s Premiership clash with Dundee United or head to Germany.

But Rodgers said: “James took his first day on the pitch yesterday. So he's starting to move and jog. So hopefully in the coming weeks, he'll be coming back. I said to him he came alive at this time last season. In February and March, he came and saved the day. He’s a brilliant player, and he made a great contribution at the beginning of the season for us as well.

“Maybe it’s the cold weather, he's getting a bit older now and he doesn’t like the winter! But no,