SIMON DONNELLY will be back in title chasing Celtic's starting line up at Motherwell this afternoon.
But the Glasgow club yesterday drew a veil of secrecy over whether manager Tommy Burns will give supporters a lift by sealing a new signing before the Fir Park fixture.
Burns was conspicuous by his absence at a Parkhead press briefing yesterday as speculation mounts that the protracted attempt to sign Jorge Cadete is nearing a successful conclusion.
The 27 year old Portuguese international striker is said to have bought out his contract with Sporting Lisbon to make himself a free agent.
That would clear the final hurdle blocking his move to Scotland and Cadete is believed to have flown in for talks with Burns.
Ideally, Celtic would want any signing completed by today to beat a Scottish Football Association 14 day registration rule for their Tennents Scottish Cup semi final against Rangers at Hampden on Sunday, April 7.
Celtic assistant manager Billy Stark offered a no comment on the Cadete latest yesterday but he did emphatically shoot down speculation linking the club with Dutch international winger Gaston Taument of Feyenoord.
Stark, meanwhile, was happy to confirm that Under 21 star Donnelly will return against Motherwell. He was left out of Sunday's Old Firm draw, which kept Celtic three points adrift of Rangers with seven games remaining.
Right back Jackie McNamara is suspended after his Ibrox red card, while left back Tosh McKinlay has a strain but will be given until the last minute.
Midfielder Phil O'Donnell looks sure to keep his place against his old club so Peter Grant may switch to right back with Brian McLaughlin earning a starting place.
Stark says there is no despondency at Parkhead despite failing to cut the gap on Rangers last week when John Hughes' late equaliser extended Celtic's domestic unbeaten run to 27 games.
There's a lot of football to be played and anything can happen when the difference is only three points. It is a knife edge with seven games left and counting.
"A few factors could come into it now. Players know any slip up could be costly and suspensions might still have a part to play."
Whether Jorge Cadete, paraded in front of the Celtic fans four weeks ago before a 4-0 win over Partick, has a part to play in the club's League and Cup double challenge remains to be seen.
