Jackie Mc is back for the Bhoys

Jackie McNamara today handed Martin O’Neill a welcome Champions League boost by pledging to be fit for their vital Group F clash with Shakhtar Donetsk in Ukraine next week.

The versatile Scotland international has been sidelined since suffering a recurrence of an ankle injury in the defeat to Barcelona at Parkhead on September 14.

But McNamara is ready to join his team-mates in training and prove he is ready for the eastern European test.

He said: “I’m coming on well now and provided there’s been no reaction to the ball work and twisting and turning I’ve been doing over the past couple of days I should be back training with the rest of the lads over the next day or so.

“I’ve been running for a week now anyway so I’m feeling fit enough and I’m sure I’ll benefit from a few days in full training.”

Joos Valgaeren is also eyeing a quick return but he admits that the first game of the Donetsk double-header is touch and go. The Belgium defender was struck down again with a pulled hamstring at Dundee United.

“It was very disappointing because I felt that I was getting a bit of rhythm going again,” said Valgaeren. "I’d had a good few games in a row beforehand and was starting to feel sharper so the last thing I wanted was to stop."

Meanwhile Celtic defender John Kennedy has flown back to Colorado to see top specialist Dr Richard Steadman for a possible third operation to speed up his recovery.