Celtic forgotten man Daniel Arzani 's recovery is going "slowly" as Australia boss Graham Arnold revealed he's still not ready to return to action.
The playmaker has not been picked for for an Olympic qualifying tournament set to take place in January.
The Manchester City talent signed for Celtic on a two-year loan deal, but tore his anterior cruciate ligament on his debut in October 2018 and has yet to feature under manager Neil Lennon since his injury.
The Socceroos were desperate to call him up for the AFC Under 23s Finals, which doubles up as Olympic qualifiers in Bangkok, Thailand from January 8-26.
But Arnold, who delayed announcing his squad to give Arzani every chance, has revealed the 20-year-old is still nowhere near making his recovery.
He said: "We've obviously had the communication with him for a long time. Daniel hasn't kicked a ball since October. His rehab's come along quite slowly.
"I spoke to him just a week ago and that's why I needed that extra week to try and bide time to announce this squad.
"Daniel just feels that his body's not ready for this tournament, he feels that to back up every three or four days to play a game in a tournament situation, he's not ready.
"So, unfortunately, he's not in the squad."
