Cole absent from Celtic for the last fortnight

Carlton Cole has been absent from Celtic’s training ground facilities for the last two weeks.

According to STV, a source told them the 32-year-old striker isn’t at Lennoxtown for personal reasons, and has also not been featured in the recent match day squads.

Cole last featured for Celtic in the 8-1 rout over Hamilton and was on the bench against Aberdeen last month but hasn’t been included in the 18-man matchday squad since.

The striker did feature two days later for the development squad in a 4-0 win over Motherwell, which was the first time fans got a glimpse of loanee Patrick Roberts in a Hoops jersey.

He has struggled for playing time since his arrival at Celtic and scored on his first start in the Scottish Cup against Stranraer and has made just four other appearances off the bench since signing in October.

Cole has given Celtic a fixed date for when he will return, however, the date is currently unknown and his agent declined to comment.