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Carlton Cole nearing full fitness ahead of Celtic debut

Celtic striker Carlton Cole reveals that he is on course to make his debut for the club sooner rather than later as he continues to build up his fitness levels.

Celtic striker Carlton Cole has revealed that he is getting closer to making his debut for the club as he continues to build up his fitness levels.

The 32-year-old has not played a competitive match since being released by West Ham United at the end of last season, but joined Celtic on a two-year deal last month.

The former England international played for an hour in a recent training match against Livingston, which Celtic won 4-1, and he is hopeful that he can make his bow for the first team sooner rather than later.

"I needed that game last week because it has been so long since I've played," he told Celtic View.

"Just being out there among the lads was great. It didn't go the way I dreamed about it but it was a start. When it's a start you've just got to take what you can. I worked hard, tried to influence it as much as I could, and that will come with more match sharpness and games.

"I was supposed to only play 45 minutes but with the person I am, if I feel like I can do a bit more, I'll do it. I asked the manager if I could do an extra 15 and they all know where I'm at but I've got to control that to make sure I don't get injured again. It's a fine line."

Cole could be in line to play some part in Celtic's home match against Kilmarnock on Saturday.

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Carlton Cole of West Ham celebrates after scoring his team's second goal of the game during the Barclays Premier League match between West Ham and Southampton at Boleyn Ground on February 22, 2014
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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
Championship Group
1Celtic220085275884
2RangersRangers220078255381
3Hearts20114637963
4Kilmarnock20114438652
5St Mirren21014246-446
6Dundee20024659-1341
Relegation Group
1Hibernian21014854-642
2Aberdeen22003749-1241
3Motherwell21015053-340
4Ross County21013459-2533
5St Johnstone20022550-2531
RLivingston21012563-3821
 
First Phase
1Celtic33246380265478
2RangersRangers33243672234975
3Hearts33195946341262
4Kilmarnock33131284334951
5St Mirren33127143843-543
6Dundee331011124454-1041
7Hibernian33912124451-739
8Motherwell33813124651-537
9Aberdeen33811143549-1435
10St Johnstone33710162446-2231
11Ross County3379173256-2430
RLivingston3339212259-3718


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