Rangers midfielder Bongani Zungu could finally make his first Europa League start against Lech Poznan.
The Gers take on the Polish club in their final Group D fixture on Thursday evening, with progression to the Round of 32 already secured.
Steven Gerrard will take the opportunity to rest key players ahead of the weekend trip to Dundee United [Herald], but his side would top the group with a win, so there’s plenty to motivate those who do start the game.
Steven Davis is unlikely to feature after playing the full 90 minutes against both Standard Liege and Ross County, while Glen Kamara could also drop out after featuring in all three matches since the international break.
Ryan Jack may recover from injury in time to play some sort of role [Herald] and Scott Arfield should return to the XI after his substitute outing at the weekend.
Yet, there should still be room for Zungu to make his long-awaited first Europa League start.
The exciting South Africa international was named in the Gers’ extended squad for the group stages soon after signing on loan from Amiens in October, but he only made his European debut in the closing stages of last week’s win over Standard Liege.
He featured off the bench in Dingwall on Sunday, too, though, and with his fitness levels now much higher than when he joined the club, this is an obvious chance to give him more significant playing time.
Zungu’s only previous Gers start came in the League Cup win at Falkirk, but his involvement is likely to increase over the coming months, and a start in Poland would give him an opportunity to showcase his quality on the big stage.
In a boost for Rangers, Lech Poznan are set to be without several first-team players for the clash due to injury.
