Nolito Injury: Updates on Celta Vigo Star's Hamstring and Return

Celta Vigo forward Nolito picked up a hamstring injury during the Dec. 12 1-0 win over Espanyol. He is not expected to play again this year.

Continue for updates.

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Nolito Recovery Timeline Revealed

Tuesday, Dec. 15

News of the problem came via a club statement (h/t FourFourTwo), which noted the Spain international faces a month on the sidelines.

The 29-year-old has been in sensational form for Celta this campaign, notching eight goals and five assists in 15 appearances. As reported by FourFourTwo, the former Benfica man has been touted as a possible midseason transfer target for European champions Barcelona.

Celta have been one of the surprise packages early in the La Liga season, currently sitting in fourth position after 15 games. Nolito, a former Blaugrana man, has been central to their cause and will be a huge loss for any games he does sit out.

For manager Eduardo Berizzo, finding a player who can replicate his effervescent play on the flanks is almost an impossible task, even if Celta are pretty well stocked when it comes to attacking options. It means more emphasis will be on the likes of Orellana, Iago Aspas and Pablo Hernandez to add goals and assists to the cause.

If Celta can negotiate the festive fixtures without their talisman and remain in amongst the top four, it’d be a massive achievement. Then a returning Nolito could potentially be the boost they require as they seek to challenge for the Champions League spots.