DEDRYCK Boyata last night again cast doubts over his Celtic future after declaring himself unable to play against Suduva this evening in Celtic's Europa League qualifier.

The Belgian internationalist's decision not to travel has left Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers with only Kristoffer Ajer and Jozo Simunovic available to play against Suduva - Jack Hendry has an ankle injury - and echoed last week's display when the defender declared himself injured, contrary to what Rodgers insisted, ahead of the third round Champions League qualifier. It was a call that came on the back of Celtic's decision to knock back a £9m offer from Fulham for Boyata.

Boyata's decision not to travel came on the back of a clear the air meeting with Rodgers and Celtic captain Scott Brown. The defender was also photographed training with the first-team squad at Celtic Park yesterday before their flight to Lithuania.

Sevilla confirmed on Tuesday that Boyata is a player on their radar. The Spaniards are believed to be poised to make a £10m bid for the 27-year-old, but with Celtic declaring their interest in Aberdeen's Scott McKenna over after the Pittodrie side insisted they would not be selling the defender it is believed that the Parkhead side could stand firm in their refusal to sell Boyata if they cannot source an adequate replacement.

Rodgers last night was unwilling to say whether Boyata, who downed tools for the third round UEFA Champions League qualifier against AEK Athens, would still be at the club when the current transfer window closes.

If it was hard to see Boyata coming back into the Celtic team before then this latest development would on the face if it make it almost impossible to win back the supporters.

However, while Rodgers was clearly unhappy with his player, he still left a bit of room for him to return to the fold if Sevilla or any other interested parties are not successful with a bid.

Rodgers said: “Dedryck hasn’t travelled. There are still issues around him physically. We are at the stage of the season where we can’t afford to take any risks with players of they are not physically right to be here.

“He has a problem with his back, which he struggled with last week. I just think overall his fitness (isn’t there) in terms of him coming into the game. If he doesn’t feel right – and this is what we are gauging him on – because he’s training with us and we’re asking where he is at in his fitness, if he’s not right then I can’t afford to play him.

“I need the players who are mentally and physically right for these important games.

“Dedryck had a meeting with the captain and myself, we all spoke about where we were at and that we wanted to move on from it, and we felt if he was ready to do that and commit to our work then, of course, we only want good players but more importantly we want good attitudes.

“That was something which was made clear. So, from that, Dedryck has trained the last few days with the squad but deems himself not ready physically to participate in the game.

“I can only say in terms of what he has said. He is not right to play in the game so I have to move on quickly and prepare the players who want to be here and are physically right to play the game.

“I don’t think there are any doubts this is a difficult situation. Some players deal with it differently. There are good players in our squad who have attracted strong interest and it’s up to the individual. All you can do is guide and advise and, like I say, we want to get players on the squad who want to play and are physically ready.

“I said all along that he is our top centre-half. So, if he was available and ready then of course he would have been high on the list to start. He’s shown over the last 18 months that when he is focussed he can be a very good player, which he showed in the summer.

“I had spoken to him on Tuesday because I wanted to know what he was feeling. It was a difficult week for he and his team-mates, and I didn’t want it for a group that has been so spirited and strong.

“After a couple of days, I have to get a feel whether the player is available and he made it clear he wasn’t ready for the game. We move on.”

But the question Celtic fans will ask is if the club can move on from a difficult situation which was all the making of Boyata and his agent,

Rodgers said: “I think he understands the situation and the supporters. All they want to see is a player pulling on a jersey and being 100 per cent commitment – despite what ability they have. That is what every supporter wants to see.

“I have to put players on the pitch who will be ready to fight for the shirt. So, when I get the feeling it is maybe not right, I don’t think twice about it.

“There is an interest in a number of our players, not just Dedryck. Once we knew he wasn’t ready I had to focus on the team. I am sure between now and the window there will be other offers and opportunities, but certainly at this time there is no bid.”

If Boyata does stay, the job for Rodgers is to get the best out of a player who has a year to go of his contract and wanted to leave when Fulham made an offer of £9m just before the English window shut.

Rodgers said: “There has to be a win first of all for the team. And for the supporters. And there has to be a win for the player. If there is not then it’s very difficult for any player to play to their best.

“Because if you are not happy you don’t - and can’t - give your best. You really can’t. I always say that happiness and energy are the common denominators. You need to have both of those.”

Meanwhile, Rodgers confirmed that there will be not further pursuit of McKenna.

“I’m led to believe (it’s over). He’s a player that I’ve liked but Aberdeen are in a strong position. He has five years left on his deal he is a young player.

“The club made an offer, I’ve spoken to Aberdeen, but probably similar to the likes of ourselves with Kieran Tierney there was no way we were going to sell in this window and that was the message we got from Aberdeen. That would end that.”