SHUNSUKE NAKAMURA has targeted Celtic's league game on August 10 for his return to action after the success of his hernia operation in Germany yesterday.

The news has been welcomed by manager Gordon Strachan as he prepares to fly out for the Feyenoord Tournament which begins tomorrow night.

But Strachan was disappointed by the outcome of the operation on Koki Mizuno, who had knee surgery in Glasgow on Monday.

The 22-year-old Japanese winger has been told he will be sidelined for three months.

Mizuno was thought to be suffering from a slight cartilage injury which would keep him out only a couple of weeks. But the damage was worse than first suspected, and he has now been told he will not be back in training until the end of October.

There was a buoyant report from Naka, however, who reckons he will not need to miss a single competitive match.

He said: "I want to be on the bench for the opening match against St Mirren on August 10.

"But my team-mates have all had the preparation to play in that game, and I have to do that, too. I will be working to be able to play throughout the season. I want to win four-in-a-row and go as far as possible in the Champions League."

Strachan is delighted the set-piece specialist will be back in time, but medical staff at the club will monitor his rehab to ensure he does not push too quickly.