McDonald is expected to be out for up to 10 days once he goes under the knife.

That would rule him out of Saturday's Clydesdale Bank Premier League game with Falkirk and possibly the Active Nation Scottish Cup fourth-round tie at Morton.

Menawhile Celtic were today set to make Jos Hooiveld their first January signing on a reported three-and-a-half year deal.

Press Association Sport understands the Hoops were hoping to officially announce the Dutch defender's capture later in the day.

Celtic have reportedly agreed a fee in the region of £2million with Swedish club AIK Solna for 26-year-old Hooiveld, who looks certain to be a direct replacement for Gary Caldwell.

Hooiveld said in the Daily Record: "I think my style of play will be good for the Scottish league and I can do a very good job for Celtic.

"It should be something special for me to play for Celtic because they are a big, classic club.

"In many ways, they are like AIK to me because they have a big and passionate following of supporters.

"All the town of Glasgow speaks about football. It's a massive interest to everyone.

"It will be a very good move for me."

AIK won the double in Sweden recently but have fallen on hard times financially.

Hooiveld, who joined the club on a free transfer 12 months ago, added: "It is good AIK are going to get a transfer fee.

"It's good I can help the club. I like it in Stockholm because everything has been fantastic."

Hooiveld failed to make the grade at first club Heerenveen and was even rejected by Livingston after a trial there in 2005.

Celtic must also consider whether to make a fresh bid for Preston defender Sean St Ledger after seeing an approach rejected by the Coca-Cola Championship club last week.

Deepdale chairman Derek Shaw said of the Republic of Ireland international: "We accept Sean wants to play at a higher level and had his international career to think of, so the ball is in Celtic's court."

The Hoops have agreed a fee with Middlesbrough for the sale of Scotland defender Caldwell and midfielder Robson, though there have been reports of the former holding talks with Wigan.

Willo Flood and Chris Killen are also close to a reunion with former Celtic boss Gordon Strachan at the Riverside.

The match had been rescheduled for tomorrow night but has been put back to next Monday, once again because of a frozen pitch.