Celtic's plans to rebuild squad hit by Andreas Hinkel injury

CELTIC defender Andreas Hinkel is likely to be sidelined for the rest of the season after suffering a serious knee injury.

The German full-back suffered anterior cruciate ligament damage in training on Wednesday and, following the result of a scan yesterday, he is expected to be out of action for nine months.

It is a desperate blow for Hinkel in the first instance and also a setback for Celtic in terms of their current squad rebuilding programme. The 27-year-old is in the final year of his contract and the Parkhead side had hoped to sell him before the end of the transfer window this month.

Hinkel, who must now undergo a lengthy period of rehabilitation, was left out of manager Neil Lennon's European squads in order that he would not be ineligible for any potential buying clubs.

Lennon confirmed earlier this month that South Korean international Cha Du Ri, one of his new signings, would be first choice right-back this season.

"It is with great regret that Celtic announces that, after an accident in training, Andreas Hinkel suffered a significant injury to his right knee and it has been confirmed as a rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament," said a club statement.

"Andreas will require surgery and could be out for a period of up to nine months. Clearly this is very sad news for Andreas and he will be receiving every support from the club."

One player poised to leave Celtic, on a temporary basis at least, is Danish international striker Morten Rasmussen.

Signed by ex-boss Tony Mowbray in January, Rasmussen was yesterday in talks with German club Mainz over a season-long loan deal. He has dropped down the pecking order at Celtic following Lennon's recruitment of Gary Hooper and Daryl Murphy.