SHUNSUKE NAKAMURA has damaged an adductor muscle - the same groin injury which ruled out Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink for more than three months.

However, scans have confirmed that the damage sustained by the Japanese midfielder in last weekend's draw against Dundee United is not nearly as serious as that suffered by the big Dutch striker.

Naka has been told by the club's medical team that his is an unusual injury, and that rest is the best form of treatment.

He is already resigned to sitting out Saturday's Scottish Cup tie against Dundee, but has tentatively set his sights on a return at Aberdeen a week on Sunday.

Nakamura has been removed from the training with the rest of the first-team squad, and is confined to working on his upper body in the club's gym at Lennoxtown.

The player said: "The pain I felt at the weekend when I had to come off during the game against Dundee United is much better, and I'll perhaps be able to train again with the team tomorrow.

"I am preparing for the game against Aberdeen, but I've been told the injury is in an unusual place and that there is the possibility it may come back if not treated properly."

Naka's absence this weekend could open the door for Aiden McGeady to make his return.

The 22-year-old current Player of the Year has served his two-game club ban, and was left out of the squad for last Saturday's game against Dundee United as Gordon Strachan elected to stick with the players who had won at Falkirk and Ibrox.

McGeady's decision not to contest the ban or the £30,000 fine which accompanied it for his bust-up with Strachan following the draw with Hearts last month has been welcomed by the club, and everyone wants to put the matter behind them.

The return of McGeady this weekend would be one of several changes Strachan plans to make to the side, and Jo Doumbe hopes he is one of the fringe men who will get a rare start.

With Mark Wilson sidelined with an on-going pelvic problem and Andreas Hinkel still recovering from the cracked rib he suffered the day before facing Rangers at Ibrox, Paul Caddis - who replaced Wilson at half-time last weekend - is the only other option for the right-back slot.

Doumbe is entering the final few months of his contract at Parkhead and the 30-year-old said: "I've six months left on my contract and my aim is to fight my way into the first team and play as much as possible.

"I feel a lot fitter and I've played a few games for the reserves."