Carlton Cole has been given time off by Celtic for personal reasons.

STV understands the striker has been absent from the club’s Lennoxtown training base for the past fortnight and has been allowed to travel back down south.

A club source says the player will be back in Glasgow soon and has given Celtic a fixed date for his return. Cole’s agent declined to comment when contacted by STV.

The former England international has only made one start and four substitute appearances for the Scottish champions since signing an 18-month deal in October

Cole’s last minutes for the club came after replacing Leigh Griffiths in the 8-1 victory over Hamilton on January 19.

The ex-West Ham forward was named on the bench for the Premiership loss to Aberdeen on February 3 but didn’t take to the field. He later played in a development fixture against Motherwell two days later.

The 32-year-old’s only Celtic goal came during the 3-0 Scottish Cup win over Stranraer.