Celtic striker Kyogo Furuhashi is set for a deserved recall to the Japanese international set-up.
It comes amid a congenial start to the season, during which the centre-forward has registered nine goal contributions across 14 matches in all competitions.
Kyogo was once more on the scoresheet for the Hoops last night, rattling in their second in an utterly dominant 6-0 victory over closest league rivals Aberdeen in the Premier Sports Cup semi-final.
His positive start to the season has flown somewhat under the radar, but now, according to reports in Japan cited by The Celtic Way, The National, and The Herald, Kyogo is set to return to the national team during the upcoming international break.
It will be the 29-year-old’s maiden call-up in a year as he gets set for an opportunity in World Cup qualifiers away to Indonesia and China.
Hajime Moriyasu will reintroduce the electric frontman to his squad because Feyenoord’s Ayase Ueda picked up an injury and Blackburn’s Yuki Ohashi is off form, having not scored in his last seven games.
“From what I gather, Ayase Ueda has a hamstring injury and won’t make the matches,” said Moriyasu (The National).
“I see it as an opportunity for new talent in the squad. There are players I have been watching who can make an impact in these games instead.”
Kyogo’s Celtic teammates Daizen Maeda and Reo Hatate will also likely be included in Moriyasu’s latest squad, which should be announced sometime next week.
Maeda was on fire at Hampden on Saturday night, bagging a hat-trick and an assist in the Bhoys’ thumping of the Dons. Hatate impressed in midfield, too, as Brendan Rodgers’ men booked their place in next month’s showpiece final.