ANGE POSTECOGLOU admits he is frustrated at not being able to call upon new signing Kyogo Furuhashi for the upcoming Champions League qualifiers, with the Japan international not expected to join up with his squad for around two weeks.

Furuhashi scored in his last game for Vissel Kobe yesterday, but through a combination of factors relating to the Covid pandemic, won’t be available for his new side for some time yet, much to Postecoglou’s consternation.

“Unfortunately that’s a challenge,” Postecoglou said, after watching his side lose 1-0 to Preston in a friendly.

“It’s not just about signing players it’s how we can get them in.

“It’s a ten-day to two-week process so that’s the challenging part at the moment, we’re not able to get people in quick enough.

“It’s just the world we live in. If we could get on a plane, go over there and do the signing, we’d all be taking photos and we’d be unveiling him here today.

“Unfortunately nothing like that happens anymore.”

Postecoglou’s frustration extends beyond the case of Furuhashi to the recruitment process as a whole, with the ongoing saga of Carl Starfelt’s proposed move to Celtic a case in point.

“We are working on multiple fronts,” he said.

“It’s pretty clear we need to bring players in. That’s not an easy process but we are working hard hopefully in the next week.”

Postecoglou says that Tuesday’s match against FC Midtjylland may come too early for James Forrest, who wasn’t involved in the squad for the defeat to Preston.

“Because James missed so much, he was out for 10 days, we have just got to be a little bit careful with him,” he said.

“He only really got a run out yesterday and while he will train again tomorrow Tuesday could be a little bit early for him. 

“But certainly after that he will hopefully get a week’s training.”

“There’s a couple who are close and we didn’t want to risk them today. 

“So [Nir Bitton, Ismaila Soro] and Ryan Christie, will all train tomorrow.”