Rangers boss Philippe Clement provided team and injury news at his press conference on Friday ahead of the trip to Dundee United this weekend.
The treatment table at Ibrox was starting to clear up again before the disappointing derby defeat to Celtic and it appears the players returning from international duty haven’t been seriously injured.
But will there be some fresh problems for Clement to deal with as he prepares to pick a starting XI capable enough of collecting three points at Tannadice?
Will deadline day arrivals Nedim Bajrami and Neraysho Kasanwirjo be available? Here’s what the boss had to relay at the Rangers Training Centre this afternoon.
Latest Rangers injury updates
Confirmed Rangers injuries
Clement confirmed that Rabbi Matondo, Danilo and Ridvan Yilmaz will definitely not play a part in the weekend’s fixture in Dundee.
He said: “Ridvan is still out along with Danilo and Matondo. Ridvan is back doing individual work outside.”
The left-back has a hamstring injury and it may be another couple of weeks before we see him back in action. Danilo is recovering from surgery on his knee once again, while Matondo had to be taken off against Celtic recently.
Clement said this about the luckless Brazilian forward: “Danilo was an unlucky one, he slipped in a sprint. Thankfully, it is not a cruciate ligament, but he will be out for at least four weeks.
“Thankfully the work he had done previously to help strengthen his knee helped prevent a more serious injury.”
Rangers injury and selection doubts
Meanwhile, Clement was less affirmative about Ross McCausland, with the winger picking up a knock during international duty with Northern Ireland.
Clement: “Ross (McCausland) picked up a knock on international duty, but it shouldn’t be too bad.”
The manager seemed to suggest McCausland will be fit enough to be in the squad for Dundee United.
New signing Nedim Bajrami trained for the first time with his new teammates on Friday and a decision will be made on whether he plays or not on Saturday.
And Clement also had an update regarding winger Oscar Cortes, who has been out since the first game of the season against Hearts.
The manager commented: “Oscar (Cortes) played 60 minutes in our closed door game (against Motherwell), he is progressing well along with Hamza (Igamane).”
So with that, Cortes could be in the squad but it remains to be seen for sure.
