Jota forces sensational Ittihad U-turn as Celtic hero sees sheepish Nuno green light improbable comeback

Jota is set to be rewarded a return to competitive football by Nuno Espirito Santo next week - with the former Celtic star one of his 'priorities' in the AFC Champions League.

The Portuguese winger has had a tough time of it since his megabucks move from Parkhead and he was cut from their Saudi Pro League squad due to limitations on foreign players. The league only allows eight non-domestic trained players to be registered and it means Jota hasn't kicked a ball competitively since September 1.

The Asian Champions League though is less strict with ten foreigners allowed to be registered and Jota has made the cut for that squad. And, after he starred with the only goal of the game in a recent friendly against Al-Wahda, it looks like he will get the chance to impress when the continental action gets started on Monday.

According to reports in Saudi, Jota is one of Santo's 'priorities' for their continental opener against Iraqi side Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya and is set to start that one. It's claimed Santo's shift in gameplan and intention to rest a few of his other foreign stars means he'll be thrown in and challenged to show them what they are missing.

It's a reward for the winger's patience as he can't be used in the league by Ittihad until January at the earliest, meaning he'll sit out of Friday's clash with Al-Taawoun. He'll only have to wait until Monday though and they have two more Champions League games in November he will be eligible for.

The Pro League season takes six weeks off between December 28 and February 15 and that will likely be a key junction in the winger's career. If Ittihad opt against registering him when their window opens in January then Jota will face a big decision over whether AFC Champions League