Brendan Rodgers, the Celtic manager, last night revealed that Eboue Kouassi, the Ivorian midfielder, has to undergo an ankle operation and will be sidelined for up to two months.

Eboue, the 19-year-old who cost £3 million from Russian club Krasnodar back in January, made his first appearance of the 2017/18 campaign in the Betfred Cup match with Kilmarnock last week.

However, he was substituted before half-time after suffering an injury which will require minor surgery tomorrow.

Elsewhere, Dedryck Boyata, who has been out since July with a knee problem, should be alright to return to action next month.

“Kouassi will have an operation on Thursday," said Rodgers. “Two of the players went to London to have check-ups on where they are at.

“Boyata is good news. He comes back and he’ll be back in early September. Kouassi will have an operation on his ankle.

"The knee is stable, but there was a bit at his ankle similar to what Tom Rogic had and it puts him out for six to nine weeks. It is a shame for the boy because he was doing so well."