Celtic must cope without Scott Brown for up to ten weeks

Celtic captain Scott Brown does not require surgery on his broken foot, but he still faces up to ten weeks on the sidelines.

The club announced last Friday that the Scotland midfielder would be out for at least six weeks, and possibly more, with a stress reaction in a metatarsal on his right foot. A visit to a specialist yesterday allayed fears he would need surgery, which would have kept him out for about three months.

But a statement on www.celticfc.net added: "However, with the extra rehabilitation work required, the midfielder is likely to be out for eight to ten weeks."

Brown had already been ruled out of the first Old Firm derby of the season at Celtic Park on 24 October. But he should be firmly back in action before the second Clydesdale Bank Premier League meeting of the season against Rangers on 2 January.

The former Hibs player has joined fellow central midfielder Beram Kayal on the sidelines, with the Israel international set for a similar spell out after being told he needed hernia surgery. The injuries could revive the Parkhead career of Marc Crosas, who made his first SPL appearance of the season when he came off the bench in the recent 3-1 victory over Hamilton.

Despite being left out of Celtic's 25-man European squad earlier in the season, Crosas insists he has not let his spirits drop while playing alongside the club's youngsters.

"That's my job, it's what I am getting paid for and it's what I love to do," Crosas said. "There is no point being in a bad mood or not trying to do what I have to do. I need to train, I need to work hard and I need to be ready if the opportunity comes to play. I am still young - I'm still only 22 - but I have a little bit of experience already and it's important that the younger lads coming to play in the reserve team see that the older players are ready."

Manager Neil Lennon has been boosted by the return to fitness of Paddy McCourt following a dislocated shoulder. Emilio Izaguirre is also in the final stages of his recovery from a thigh problem, although Sunday's visit to Dundee United may be too early for the left-back.

James Forrest has an ankle problem, while Thomas Rogne and Charlie Mulgrew are also struggling with injury.