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Filip Benkovic has suggested his injury issues aren't as bad as initially feared.

The defender hasn't played since Celtic beat Hamilton on January 26 amid concerns that he could miss the rest of the season.

Brendan Rodgers played down that claim, and the defender has revealed in an interview with Sporske Novosti (as translated by The Scottish Sun) that he expects to be back in action sooner rather than later.

"That's me, a magnet for trouble," he joked. "Before the injury, everything was super, I was just too happy. Regardless of the injury that, I hope, will not keep me out from the field for too long, I enjoy everything.

"The matches up here play at a constant speed, every two or three days. Of course, I believe that I will continue to progress and that my performance will be even better."

Major boost

Benkovic made an instant impact on Celtic when he joined on deadline day at the end of August.

His partnership with Dedryck Boyata gelled instantly with the two men side-by-side as Celtic won three matches to reach the last 32 of the Europa League.

Unfortunately for Celtic, with Boyata out of contract and Benkovic returning to Leicester in May, Brendan Rodgers will have to find a new central defensive partnership for next season.

Kris Ajer and Jozo Simunovic have stood in for Benkovic during his absence and although Celtic have yet to lose a domestic goal in 2019 there is no doubt that the on loan Leicester defender will walk straight back into the side when he resumes full fitness.