In a double injury boost for Rangers, Steven Gerrard has suggested that neither Alfredo Morelos nor Leon Balogun are facing any significant time out of action, as quoted by the Daily Record.
The Gers hammered Dundee United 4-0 at Ibrox on Saturday as they continued their strong start to the 2020/21 Premiership season.
The goals were shared around while the defence held firm again for a seventh consecutive shutout. Yet, four players picked up injuries across the day.
Leon Balogun was withdrawn from the starting XI prior to kick-off, both Ryan Jack and Brandon Barker limped off in the first half and Alfredo Morelos was stretchered off in the second period following a reckless tackle from United’s Ryan Edwards.
However, the Gers boss has since played down both Morelos and Balogun’s knocks.
“In terms of preparation and trusting how my staff go about things this is the first time we have had a day like this when things have gone against us,” said Gerrard, as quoted by the Daily Record. “I don’t think we can do anything about Alfredo’s injury. It’s an impact injury.”
“We think Leon will be fine. We think we got it before it was an injury, it was a bit of tightness and we made the right decision to take him out of the team.
“I think we have come away with two injuries rather than four, but let’s see how the next few days go.”
Double boost for Rangers as Gerrard provides update on Morelos and Balogun – Verdict
It’s far from ideal that the Gers may have lost both Ryan Jack and Brandon Barker ahead of an important run of games, with the likes of Joe Aribo, Jordan Jones and Allan McGregor already out of action.
Yet, it’s a big positive that Balogun and Morelos are both seemingly in contention for the upcoming Europa League qualifier against Lincoln Red Imps.
There’s no need to risk either player in the starting XI but if both are fit enough to make the squad, it would ensure there’s real quality to call upon from the bench.
Balogun has only just recovered from a quad problem and Morelos worked hard over the international break to get himself closer to prime condition, so Gerrard will be relieved that neither are set for long spells on the sidelines.
