CELTIC striker Kyogo Furuhashi will not be called up for Japan's World Cup Qualifiers against China and Saudi Arabia, according to the national team's manager - meaning he could be available for next month's clash with Rangers.
Speaking to the media in Asia, Hajime Moriyasu admitted he will be without a host of first-team regulars as players recuperate from their injuries.
Two defenders - Southampton's Maya Yoshida and Sei Muroya of Hannover - will not be fit in time for the matches on January 27 and February 2, and the fixtures also come too soon for goalkeeper Kosei Tani.
Furuhashi picked up an injury against St Johnstone on Boxing Day that saw the striker replaced by Joey Dawson after 15 minutes. Discussing the squad update, Moriyasu admitted that some of his players would miss out on the final rounds of qualifying for Qatar.
"Several players will not be able to convene due to injury," the Japan manager said.
"We have received reports that Maya Yoshida, Kaoru Mitoma, Sei Muroya, and Kyogo Furuhashi are also difficult.
"It is painful for the team that the players who have been convened each time cannot play."
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