Kyogo has no chance for derby, says Postecoglou
ANGE POSTECOGLOU has ruled out the prospect of Kyogo Furuhashi making a surprise appearance in Wednesday’s top of the table clash against Rangers.
Absent since limping out of the team’s Boxing Day win at St Johnstone, Kyogo was left out of the Japan squad for the World Cup qualifiers against China and Saudi Arabia.
That sparked hope among some supporters that the 26-year-old might be available to play but manager Postecoglou has confirmed that his top scorer has yet to resume training.
He said: ‘It’s going to be weeks. Kyogo’s got a similar injury to Dave Turnbull.
‘Dave did it in the League Cup final and he’s not even training yet, so that gives you a sense of the timeline. He has a hamstring injury very similar to Dave’s. He won’t be back for a number of weeks.’
His squad stretched thin during the first half of the season, Postecoglou moved quickly to add Kyogo’s compatriots Reo Hatate, Daizen Maeda and Yosuke Ideguchi when the window opened.
Midfielder Matt O’Riley followed, with young Irish striker Johnny Kenny also moving from Sligo Rovers.
The emphasis has now switched to moving out some of the club’s unwanted higher earners.
Striker Albian Ajeti is wanted by his former club Basel but they are reluctant to meet his wage demands.
Goalkeeper Vasilis Barkas is also surplus to requirements and will be moved on if a suitable club emerges, while midfielder Ismaila Soro could also leave.
Having signed a new contract earlier this term, young full-back Adam Montgomery remains part of the club’s plans but is set to go out on loan. Kilmarnock are keen and a deal could be struck before the deadline.
Postecoglou added: ‘We are working on a few things and trying to get loan deals done for some of our players who need game time and others who may feel they have opportunities.
‘I can’t say definitively but I expect some things to happen.’