In a certain kind of mood, Brendan Rodgers may have cause to rue a curse upon all his training pitches.

As the Celtic manager fought his way through the UEFA Champions League qualifiers this summer and into the group stages of Europe’s premier competition, he do so with central defenders wilting in front of him.

Erik Sviatchenko, now gone back to his homeland, Jozo Simunovic, Dedryck Boyata all suffered injuries. Having negotiated a parachute out of the group and into the Europa League, Rodgers will find himself once again facing similar headaches.

Marvin Compeer was ineligible for the game against Zenit St Petersburg in any case, but the issue of fit and available personnel remains.

Australian midfielder Tom Rogic is out with a knee injury and is not expected to be back until the end of February at the earliest, while Patrick Roberts too is still looking for fitness. Leigh Griffiths is a doubt for this weekend with an ankle knock while Stuart Armstrong has just gone under the knife to correct a hernia problem.

As the January transfer had loomed into view at the end of last month, Rodgers spoke of his desire to come out of stronger than when he went into it. Despite having added just two players, one of whom will not join the club until the end of the current campaign, the Celtic manager remains optimistic that will still be the case.

The injury problems evident at the minute would suggest a sense of urgency in terms of bringing fresh bodies in but Rodgers remains calm that he will get what he wants.

“We bring players in, not just for the short term but for the long term,” he said. “You think about Europe, of course, but you can’t be governed by it.

“We’ve lost quite a bit of creativity with Patrick out too,” observed Rodgers. “We’ll hopefully identify the rights ones and bring them in.

“Tom could be six to eight weeks. Patrick is not [back] until February.

“But it’s ok. We have a good squad, a chance to bring young players up and see how they cope and develop. Then look to get one or two in.”

Asked if he still believed that the squad would be stronger when the window closes, Rodgers said: “hopefully that will be the case.”

Sviatchenko has returned to FC Midtyjlland until the end of the season, with a deal expected to be struck after that to take the defender there on a permanent contract.

Despite the injury to new addition Compper, Rodgers was happy to let Sviatchenko go and get the game time he needs.

“He needed to play,” said Rodgers. “He was a good guy, part of the squad, had been training but wasn’t playing. Others jumped ahead of him in the queue. “He’s an experienced player and he wants to play. It’s a chance to go back to his homeland, they have a World Cup, and if he’s playing then he at least has a chance of getting in the squad. If he’s not playing then he’ll virtually have no chance. We have enough numbers in that area.”

Compper, signed for £1m from RB Leipzig in December, picked up a calf injury training in Dubai. The anticipation was that he would make his debut in Saturday’s Scottish Cup tie against Brechin City but he will wait at least a month for it now.

"He was unfortunate that he got injured when he was out there, so we will have to wait and see how long that's going to be," said Rodgers. .

“He has a calf injury. He will probably be out for four weeks. It is unfortunate. He was in Dubai and towards the end of a game we had, that was it. He has settled into the squad well. Marvin has gelled very well."

Moussa Dembele has been the subject of speculation about his future, but as of now the player remains at Celtic. Rodgers was unwilling to speculate about whether the French striker is likely to stay at Celtic.

"I can't say either way," he said. "You just never know. But, at this moment in time, Moussa is here and training. We shall see.”

Bari are keen on taking Liam Henderson, although Rodgers insisted that there was still some work to be done on the deal.

“Not that I’m aware of, it’s not been completed,” said the Celtic manager.

Rangers have strengthened in the current window while Hearts are favourite to get Steven Naismith. In any case, Rodgers welcomes anything that adds to the strength of the league.

“In any league you want to have the best coaches, the best players involved,” he said. “I haven’t seen so much of what others are doing but the more competition there is, in every aspect, the better it is.”