Chris Sutton will miss Celtic's UEFA Cup quarter-final second leg in Liverpool on Thursday after being sidelined for six weeks with a broken wrist.
The striker suffered the fracture when team-mate Bobo Balde fell on him after they had both challenged for a high ball during yesterday's League Cup final defeat by Rangers.
Sutton had to be stretchered off and an x-ray confirmed the fracture. He will be in plaster for six weeks while the wrist heals.
The news is a major blow for Celtic boss Martin O'Neill as his side pursue glory in Europe and bid to overhaul Rangers at the top of the Premier League.
The former Blackburn and Chelsea forward had been enjoying a fantastic season, despite being switched from the forward line to midfield to accomodate John Hartson.
With Sutton out, club skipper Paul Lambert is certain to start at Anfield on Thursday with Bulgarian star Stilian Petrov, who was on the bench for yesterday's game, likely to be given the attacking midfield role.
AFP