Celtic return for goalkeeper Fraser Forster

Celtic have brought Newcastle United goalkeeper Fraser Forster back to the club on a season-long loan, with an option to make the move permanent.

The 23-year-old played 44 games for the Glasgow outfit last season.

And manager Neil Lennon hopes to include him in the squad for Thursday's Europa League qualifier with Sion.

"We hope to have him registered in time for tomorrow night," said Lennon. "He has been the main target since the end of last season."

The Scottish Premier League club had this week been linked with Sunderland goalkeeper Craig Gordon, while they also missed out on Poland international Gregorz Sandomierski, who joined Genk from Jagiellonia Białystok.

Celtic failed with a £1.5m bid for Forster, who picked up a Scottish Cup winners' medal during his previous spell in Glasgow, in June.

"We did put a bid in, but it was knocked back, but we worked hard in the background to try to bring him in, so I'm very, very pleased," said Lennon.

Celtic have been searching for a new goalkeeper to challenge Lukasz Zaluska and Dominic Cervi and Lennon is considering putting Forster straight in against the Swiss side.

"We will have to see his condition," said the manager.

"The form of Lukasz has been very good, so we will weigh these things up.

"But it has given myself and the squad a boost.

"We have three very good goalkeepers, so there is great competition in that area, which is what we wanted."