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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
Sport
Aidan Macdonald

Jota set for Al-Ittihad opportunity as Nuno Espirito Santo makes winger a 'priority'

Former Celtic winger Jota is set to return to competitive action for Al-Ittihad next week.

The 24-year-old has struggled to make an impact since moving to Saudi Arabia from Parkhead during the summer transfer window.

He was recently cut from the league squad due to the limitations on foreign players and last played competitively at the start of September. 

However, he is available for cup competitions, with the Asian Champions League falling into that bracket.

According to reports in Saudi, Jota is one of Nuno Espirito Santo's "priorities" for their first match in the tournament against Iraqui side Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya.

It is claimed that a change of tactics, as well as an opportunity to give some of his stars a rest, will see the Al-Ittihad boss turn to the winger.

Meanwhile, Brendan Rodgers says Celtic defender Maik Nawrocki is back in training and "doing well" as he continues his injury recovery.

The 22-year-old sustained a hamstring strain in August against Kilmarnock and has not featured since.

Nawrocki was not included in the Parkhead side's Champions League squad due to the nature of his injury but now seems to be on his way back to action.

Rodgers told Celtic TV: "He’s [Nawrocki] doing very well and trained over the last week or so.

“We only have Stephen Welsh and Liel Abada who will hopefully be back in December time.

“Thankfully that’s starting to ease off and we’re starting to get numbers back in what’s going to be a busy part of the season.

“You always know you will have injuries, I just think at the beginning of the season that aligned with new players coming in and trying to adapt and settle was the challenge."

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