Celtic's Shunsuke Nakamura is ready to put his own welfare at risk in order to help Japan gain Bahrainian revenge.

Celtic ace Shunsuke Nakamura hasn't been afforded much time to enjoy the Hoops' comeback title win. In fact, the Japanese playmaker is ready to start the World Cup qualifier against Bahrain in spite of a sore ankle.

In March, Japan lost 1-0 to Bahrain, putting coach Takeshi Okada's reign in the hotseat in jeopardy. However, the side has recovered well and Nakamura hopes to complete the renaissance in Saitama.

"The ankle feels better," the 29-year-old set-piece wizard said. "Of course I want to play. We lost to Bahrain away so it's important we beat them at home."

Scottish-based Naka has been reportedly suffering from insomnia and taking pain-killing injections this summer - something that will worry Hoops boss Gordon Strachan.

The game is, after all, little more than a revenge excercise for the Japanese, who are already looking forward to the next stage of qualifying.

On that front, the draw will be made in Kuala Lumpur on Friday for the final round of Asian WC 2010 qualifiers.

Okada will rest Europe-based duo Daisuke Matsui and Makoto Hasebe as they're walking the yellow card tightrope.