O'Neill rules out Balde despite injury worries

The Celtic manager Martin O'Neill will not pick Bobo Balde against Ajax in tonight's Champions' League qualifier at Parkhead even though his defence could be seriously weakened by injury.

The Glaswegians hold a 3-1 lead from the first leg in Amsterdam and only a big upset would stop them from qualifying for a place in the Champions' League group stages for the first time in their history.

O'Neill is awaiting fitness tests on his key defensive pair of Johan Mjallby and Joos Valgaeren. He will give them as much time as possible to recover from ankle and knee injuries respectively. If they fail to recover, O'Neill could have given his summer signing Balde a difficult debut against the Dutch side, but he has said that will not happen.

The French defender, who suffered a groin injury in pre-season, made his first appearance in Celtic colours in Monday's Under-21 win over Aberdeen. Balde looked strong and composed after his lengthy absence, but the Irishman said he was not prepared to take the risk. "He has been out for a long time and although he did OK I thought he was a bit rusty."

If Mjallby and Valgaeren miss out, O'Neill plans to employ a back three of Tom Boyd, Olivier Tébily and Chris Sutton.

Lubomir Moravcik is in contention for a first-team recall tonight after being rested for Saturday's goalless draw at Livingston. Celtic missed the Slovakian's creativity in the middle of the park. O'Neill will also bring Alan Thompson and Didier Agathe back into the side.

He said: "Some players missed out on Saturday and Moravcik will certainly come back into contention for a starting place.

"We'll have a look at it tomorrow, but my main concern is Johan Mjallby and Joos Valgaeren and I'll have to pick a team accordingly. But whoever we have I think we'll be ready for the game."

Ajax will have about 1,000 supporters with them, but the Dutch side's hopes of overturning Celtic's advantage have been hit by injuries.

Tim de Cler, Petri Pasanen, Daniel Cruz, Tomas Galasek, John O'Brien, Mitchell Piqué, Pius Ikedia, Andy van der Meyde and Bogdan Lobont stayed behind in Amsterdam as their team-mates flew into Glasgow on Monday night. Ahmed Hossam travelled, but is doubtful with flu. The South African Steven Pienaar will cover.