STEPHEN McMANUS hopes to bring some much-needed cheer to Celtic by declaring himself fit for action following knee surgery.

The central defender made his long-awaited comeback after going under the knife in May in a bounce game against Blackburn reserves.

Now boss Tony Mowbray will wait to see if there is any reaction to the 85 minutes he played before deciding when the skipper can step up his rehabilitation.

With Glenn Loovens appealing against his one-game suspension, and playing through the pain of a knee injury, a return for McManus would be well-timed.

Scotland boss George Burley will monitor the situation as McManus's international team-mate, Gary Caldwell, is banned for next month's World Cup qualifier against Macedonia.

However, that September 5 date could have a seriously adverse effect on the squad Celtic send to Canada for their friendly against Benfica on September 2.

Now fewer than 19 players at full and under-21 level are expected to be called up for their respective countries.

The bulk of them will be involved in Scotland's double-header against Macedonia and Holland while Billy Stark's Under-21s are in action in Austria.

Landry N'Guemo and Glenn Loovens could be among those ruled out of the Canada trip. Former Rangers boss Paul le Guen is set to call up N'Guemo for Cameroon's double-header against Gabon, ending two years if international exile for the young midfielder.

Loovens has also been recalled to his national squad for Holland's friendly against Japan.

Meanwhile, Celtic will not be punished after a missile - believed to be a paper cup or juice carton - was thrown towards Andrei Arshavin during Tuesday's match against Arsenal. The incident was not included in the referee's report.