The Hamilton Tiger-Cats will have to continue to wait on the return of their starter

Head coach Kent Austin said Friday quarterback Zach Collaros has yet to receive clearance to play from the team's medical staff.

Collaros did not take first-team on Friday as the team prepares to play the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Wednesday. Collaros has been out since September due to a torn ACL.

Austin said Collaros "is close," but he will not dress until he is ready to play.

While Collaros remains out, Jeremiah Masoli will continue to start for the Tiger-Cats.  Masoli has led the team to a 3-2 record while completing 132 of 180 passes for 1,532 yards with eight touchdowns and five interceptions.

Collaros, 27, was dominating defences in the 12 games before his injury last season, throwing 25 touchdowns to eight interceptions and completing over 70 per cent of his passes.

In the offseason, Collaros signed a contract extension to remain with the club throughout 2018. He won the Grey Cup with the Tiger-Cats in 2014.