VICTOR WANYAMA will have to prove he is fully recovered from his hamstring injury before he is allowed to join Kenya for their World Cup qualifier against Nigeria.

Celtic's powerhouse midfielder is scheduled to line up in opposition to Parkhead team-mate Efe Ambrose in the match against the African Cup of Nations holders on March 23.

But a tight thigh muscle forced Wanyama to withdraw at half-time from the Champions League last-16 tie against Juventus in Turin on Wednesday.

It also caused the sought-after 21-year-old to miss Saturday's defeat at Ross County, and he will serve a one-game suspension when Celtic face Aberdeen at Parkhead this weekend.

Then he is scheduled to fly out to Kenya to join the Harambee Stars in their preparation for the crunch game in Nigeria.

But with Lennon desperate to secure the SPL title as soon as possible, and the Scottish Cup semi-final against Dundee United coming up immediately after the split, the Hoops boss will not want any risks to be taken with the key member of his team.

The manager is already bracing himself to be without captain Scott Brown for the bulk of the run-in as he heads to the operating table to rectify an adductor muscle injury.

And Lennon admits Wanyama is in need of recovery time after playing a huge part in so many big games this season, already surpassing the total number of appearances he made for the club last term.

He said: "Victor is going to have a well-earned break and little bit of rehab as well.

"He's suspended this weekend and it will give him the chance to get a rest."

There will be no such luxury afforded the bulk of Wanyama's team-mates who blew a two-goal lead at Dingwall on Saturday.

Lennon plans to work them hard on the training field as, for the first time in months, they do not have a midweek fixture.

Charlie Mulgrew gave the Hoops the perfect start against Ross County, scoring direct from a corner.

But it all ended in disappointment as they lost 3-2, their second SPL defeat in a row, and the Scotland star accepts they must atone this weekend.

"The players know we weren't good enough against Ross County and the performance was not acceptable," said Mulgrew. "We just know we have to do better."

Mulgrew denied that, having such a big lead, they are finding it hard to keep the pedal to the metal.

He said: "At a team like Celtic, there should never be a lack of motivation.

"We've had a couple of disappointing results, but the main thing is we win the league.

"It doesn't matter how much we win it by, as long as we win it.

"We are also in the Scottish Cup, so we'll look to do as best we can in that as well.

"Everybody is focused on the job ahead. So I don't think people's heads are elsewhere.

"I just think it was a bad result and bad performance. We have to look to Aberdeen and getting the win."