Kyogo Furuhashi will miss "three to four weeks" of action.
The Japanese striker picked up an injury on international duty and had Celtic fans and his management fearing the worst.
Now head coach Ange Postecoglou has confirmed his star man could miss up to a month.
That means Celts will be forced to begin their Europa League campaign without their top scorer.
Speaking to the gathered press earlier today Postecoglou said: "He picked up an injury playing with the national team.
"We have him back and initial assessment, we are looking at three to four weeks at this stage.
"He's optimistic about working hard to get back.
"It is disappointing, it is disappointing for him because he has obviously had a great start to his Celtic career and it is one of those things.
"We obviously wanted to keep it going and obviously help us as well but we understand it is part of football and these things will happen and we just have to get on with it."
Kyogo's injury could open the door for outcast Albian Ajeti who is yet to start under Postecoglou this season.
New signing Giorgios Giakoumakis may also feature this weekend against Ross County but the club confirmed they will be more 'conservative' about his progress.
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