With a Motherwell test on the horizon, Celtic’s key duo will not return to training until Friday.

Celtic stars Alistair Johnston and Luis Palma will not return to club training until Friday, giving them little time to prepare for Motherwell’s visit on Saturday.

Johnston was called up to Canada’s squad for their CONCACAF Nations League quarter-final match against Jamaica, while Honduras faced Mexico in the same tournament.

Unfortunately for them, both of their teams were eliminated following dramatic second-leg matches in the early hours of Wednesday morning UK time.

Palma played 90 minutes of a heartbreaking penalties defeat in Mexico City, while the Canadian played 84 minutes against the Jamaicans before being substituted.

The Motherwell game may come too soon for the Celtic duo.

In a press conference today, Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers confirmed their status, saying, “We are still waiting on some to come back.” Luis Palma and Alistair Johnston won’t be back until Friday, but the rest of the team has performed admirably.

“The guys that have played domestically and for Scotland are fine, and the others, yeah fine. So nothing injury-wise at this moment in time to report.”

When asked if Palma and Johnston would be ruled out of the weekend match, Rodgers responded, “We’ll just assess it, just assess and see how they are.”

If they don’t make the Scottish Premiership clash, alternative squad options include Anthony Ralston at right back and James Forrest in attack, with Hyunjun Yang likely to take up a wing spot regardless after impressing against Aberdeen last time out.

That would be far from ideal, and hopefully both players have taken care of themselves after their international exploits.

Palma has been in excellent form recently, scoring three assists against the Dons before departing for Honduras, and Johnston is a clear choice ahead of Ralston in defence. However, with Lazio coming up soon on Tuesday, Rodgers may want to keep his players sharp and rested.

In other news, ‘The best midfielder in Scotland’… Celtic have a player who, according to Peter Martin, is better than Matt O’Riley.