Daizen Maeda has overcome any injury worries to feature on the bench for Japan against Uruguay.

There was previously concern that the Celtic forward may miss the international fixture after admitting he was struggling with a knock.

However, he was an unused sub as the Samurai Blue drew 1-1 with the South American side.

Japan's next match is against Colombia on Tuesday March 28 at 11am UK time.

Maeda was forced off early against Hearts during the recent 3-1 league win and was then left out of the Parkhead side's Scottish Cup quarter-final triumph at Tynecastle.

He did return to the pitch during the match against Hibernian, playing for 60 minutes.

Speaking to Japanese outlet Hochi, he said: " I have adjusted for about an hour by cycling and jogging before training.

"I'm going to make adjustments so that I can make it in time for games."

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Meanwhile, former Celtic youngster Luca Connell has been praised by Barnsley boss Michael Duff as a "future captain".

The Republic of Ireland international joined the English League One club in the summer on a free transfer after failing to make a professional appearance for the Hoops.

He arrived in Glasgow from Bolton in 2019, having played 10 times for the Greater Manchester outfit.

Connell seems to be making his mark down south, though, as he played 30 times for Barnsley this season.

And Duff feels the midfielder is a special talent.

Speaking to the Yorkshire Post, he said: "He's an unbelievable kid. 'You forget he's 21 years-old.

"I didn't know anything about him. I got introduced to him when we signed him a week in and you could see very quickly he could play.

"He'll definitely be a captain of a football club at some point in his career the way he drives it.

"His ability and his performances are there but the way he drives it and carries himself, the way he puts demands on other people, he'll be a captain somewhere along the line.

"I spoke to Callum Wright at Plymouth, who I had at Cheltenham. They're good mates and grew up together and he said similar things."

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