Steven Gerrard has provided an injury update, suggesting that Jermain Defoe could be fit for Saturday’s trip to Hearts, as quoted by Rangers FC Twitter.
The two sides face off at Tynecastle for the third time this season, with a place in a Scottish Cup semi-final up for grabs.
The manager reported that no niggles had been picked up in Braga and that a relatively long-term absentee was on the verge of a return.
Defoe has been sidelined since sustaining a calf injury in a Premiership fixture against Ross County at the end of January, but Gerrard says he could make the bench in Edinburgh.
“No fresh injury news,” he said, as quoted by Rangers FC Twitter. “It is a bit of a mixed day in terms of recovery. An outside chance Defoe makes the squad.”
However, he then moved to express his frustration that Florian Kamberi would miss out. The 24-year-old is cup-tied after featuring in the competition for Hibernian earlier in the season.
Verdict
The Gers have lost once and drawn once already at Tynecastle this season, but with the cup now their best chance of silverware, another slip up would be particularly costly.
Kamberi is sure to be disappointed to miss the game. He may have struggled to stay onside in Portugal on Thursday night, but he worked hard in the absence of Alfredo Morelos and showed his quality when introduced from the bench against St Johnstone last weekend. His aerial presence will also be missed.
However, should Defoe pull through to make the squad, the Gers won’t be short on striker cover on the bench.
The 37-year-old had been proving very effective before his injury and already has 17 goals in all competitions.
Gerrard will be hoping a late cameo from the striker isn’t required, but if Rangers find themselves in trouble, there are few better finishers you could hope to be able to turn to.
