Former Celtic man Frank McAvennie has been reacting to injury news regarding James McCarthy, Football Insider report.

The Lowdown: McCarthy’s slow start; inside claim

McCarthy was one of 12 summer signings at Parkhead, penning a four-year deal after leaving Crystal Palace over the summer.

However, he hasn’t had the start he would’ve been hoping for, with Hoops correspondent Kieran Devlin revealing back in September that the Irishman had been struggling in training with the pace and intensity of Ange Postecoglou’s sessions and the demands of his midfielders.

He’s made just eight appearances in all competitions this season, with only three of those coming as a starter, and was an unused substitute last time out against Livingston.

The Latest: Fully fit – McAvennie reacts

Postecoglou confirmed after the Parkhead stalemate against Livingston on Saturday that McCarthy is back fit and available.

McAvennie was asked by Football Insider for his thoughts on the injury news regarding the midfielder, urging Postecoglou not to rush McCarthy back as another injury would be the ‘last thing’ the Hoops need.

“We need McCarthy back.

“He looked very good when he’s played but I don’t think we have seen the best of him.

“Obviously he’s had the injury troubles and hopefully he’s back soon. We need bodies more than anything else but obviously it helps when you have a talented player there.

“He’s that cool head in the midfield, though we have been doing well without him.

“Just don’t rush him back is my message to Ange, imagine if he gets another injury when he comes back.

“That’s the last thing we need.”

The Verdict: McCarthy’s time to shine?

With McCarthy back in the frame and Tom Rogic out with a hamstring issue, now could be the perfect time for Postecoglou to give him a run in the side.

Nir Bitton was brought in for Rogic in midfield on the weekend, however, you’d like to think McCarthy would be above Bitton in the pecking order when fully fit due to his wealth of Premier League experience.

If he doesn’t feature over the coming weeks, questions will surely start to arise in regards to where McCarthy fits in at Celtic Park, especially after Devlin's earlier revelation that the player had been struggling behind the scenes in training.

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