Morten Wieghorst's international jinx struck again when the Celtic midfielder was ruled out of Denmark's Euro 2000 challenge with a knee injury.

Wieghorst also missed Euro 96 through injury and was sent-off at France 98. He admitted persistent cartilage problems have cost him a Finals place.

And the 29-year-old now faces an intensive summer rehabilitation programme to ensure his fitness for the start of next season under a new coach at Parkhead.

'It looks as if Euro 2000 is out of the window for me,' he said."I had a cartilage injury in January and went through an operation to get it sorted but I think I returned too quickly.

'My last game was against Hearts in April but, since then, the knee has been sore.'

Celtic doctor Roddy MacDonald and physio Brian Scott are working closely with the midfielder - who helped launch Old Firm backing of The Prince's Trust Volunteers programme yesterday - in an effort to finally cure his knee problems.

Wieghorst added: 'Even when I was playing for the few games after the operation, including the CIS Insurance Cup Final, I never felt 100-per-cent fit.

'I have had a couple of chats with Bo Johansson and he has been very understanding. I'm sure I would have been in with a shout if I had been fit but it's not going to happen. I've not played for six weeks and I've hardly trained.'

Wieghorst's club colleague Alan Stubbs, meanwhile, admitted he would be keen on a move to Sunderland.

'Celtic know I am keen to return to England and I think they would be prepared to sell me,' said Stubbs. 'I understand Sunderland are interested and that's a move that would suit me.'

Reports in France yesterday linked Celtic with a double swoop for £1.4million-rated Lyon captain Florian Laville and his teammate David Linares.