Brendan Rodgers has delivered an official injury update on Celtic star Daizen Maeda.

The rumour mill went into overdrive this midweek as it emerged the Japanese forward, 26, was set for an unexpectedly quick return to first-team action despite recently sustaining a hamstring injury.

During a private Q&A session with shareholders at Celtic Park on Wednesday night, Rodgers is understood to have told those in attendance that the frontman's recovery was going well and that a return could be imminent, although, not in time for this weekend's trip to Dundee.

Now, speaking to the media ahead of that game, Rodgers has publicly addressed the situation relating to the injured player - who was absent from training this morning.

And much like he told shareholders during the week, the Northern Irishman has confirmed Maeda is feeling good and back out on the grass at Lennoxtown.

He won't play any part in the game at Dundee but should be back in contention to face Hearts.

"Yeah, looking good on the back of getting to the final," Rodgers said when asked about the look of his squad for this weekend. "We've had good recovery and preparation, we're all set for the weekend.

"I think I mentioned a few weeks back that the information I was given was that he was probably going to be out for the remainder of the season - or certainly we felt that. 

"He's responded so well. He's gone away to have further scans and ultrasounds, but he's out on the pitch and you would think he's never been away. 

"I don't think he'll be ready for this weekend, but he'll finish off his rehab at the beginning of next week, then fingers crossed he'll play some part between now and the end of the season. 

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"Fantastic news for us, because he's been consistently really good for us this season. To have him back, his intensity, it would be a fantastic boost.

"I was speaking to Tim, the head of our medical team this morning, and he said in his time here, he [Maeda] never fails to amaze him in terms of his recovery and just his overall physicality. 

"He's getting nothing after the tendon issue that he felt after the game, which is great news. But there are still a few more steps to go through.

"Having him back will give us a really strong squad."