Japan midfielder Shunsuke Nakamura will need up to two weeks to fully recover from a knee injury, but is optimistic on his chances of playing in Japan's upcoming World Cup qualifier away to Qatar, it was learned Saturday.
The Celtic star on Friday underwent an MRI scan on the left knee injury sustained in training the previous day and missed Saturday's 2-0 win over Motherwell in the Scottish Premier League. He was told the injury would require between 10 and 14 days to heal.
However, it appears Nakamura is able to play with the knee strapped up and sources close the playmaker said he was optimistic about playing in Doha for Japan's crunch Group A match on Nov. 19.
The news will come as a relief to Japan coach Takeshi Okada, who has an injury crisis on his hands after key defender Yuji Nakazawa joined Nakamura and first-choice goalkeeper Seigo Narazaki on the casualty list.