Alex Valle Celtic future addressed by Brendan Rodgers amid Barcelona return links

Brendan Rodgers insists he's unaware of stories linking Alex Valle with a January return to Barcelona.

Reports from Spain during the week suggested that La Liga leaders Barca were ready to cut short the talented left-back's season-long loan at Parkhead. Valle, 20, has made a huge impression for Celtic and provided much-needed competition for Greg Taylor. And Rodgers says he expects the youngster to see out the campaign in Glasgow as planned.

He told Sky Sports: "It's not something that I'm aware of and nobody has told me anything different. I suppose we're getting close to the stage where rumours, gossip and everything kicks in.

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"But I know that Alex has really enjoyed his time here and both on and off the pitch, he's obviously a very important player for us. We wouldn't want to lose him. I think the experience he's getting here - both in the Champions League and domestic football - he's really enjoying his time here."

Meanwhile Rodgers hopes that Cameron Carter-Vickers and Auston Trusty will be available for Sunday's trip to Rugby Park. The defensive duo were outstanding on Tuesday night as the Hoops stunned RB Leipzig in the Champions League. Trusty sustained a sore knock to his ankle during the first-half but managed to see out the game, while Carter-Vickers continues to nurse an ongoing toe problem.

The American pair weren't involved in training at Lennoxtown today but Rodgers assured fans it's nothing to worry about. He added: "Yeah, we'll just assess that. I think they'll be fine but we just need to give them that extra wee bit of recovery time. They'll do a light session tomorrow and hopefully, all being well, it will be the same squad."