John Souttar, Leon Balogun and Dujon Sterling have all trained for Rangers ahead of the Europa League trip to face Fenerbahce in Turkey.
Interim Rangers manager Barry Ferguson claims that the Ibrox side have ‘suffered’ in the absence of all three defenders, who bring a physicality to the Rangers squad.
But ahead of the trip to face Jose Mourinho and Fenerbahce in Istanbul, all three players have been spotted being put through their paces at Auchenhowie.
Rangers defensive trio train ahead of Fenerbahce
Sky Sports footage of the Rangers training ground shows John Souttar, Leon Balogun and Dujon Sterling training with the rest of the Rangers team.
John Souttar, who missed a crucial part of the season between December and January, had only just returned to the first team but has missed the last three games with a small injury problem.
Ferguson reckons Souttar’s return will make a ‘big difference’ with an injury to the defender having a big impact on Philippe Clement’s tenure.
Leon Balogun, who at 36-years-old is one of the most experienced players in the squad, has spent the last few weeks sidelined but returned to action in the second half of the 2-1 defeat to Motherwell.
Despite signing a new contract earlier in the season, Dujon Sterling has experienced a stop-start campaign due to injuries but returned late on in the defeat against the Steelmen.
Rangers have missed the composure, physicality and influence of all three players, with stand-in defenders Robin Propper and Clinton Nsiala being given the runaround in recent matches.
Former Rangers striker Kris Boyd has backed Souttar and Balogun to return v Fenerbahce such is the depth of the club’s issues at centre-back.
Barry Ferguson: ‘Rangers have suffered with injuries’
Whilst it is currently unclear if these players will be available for selection for the clash against Fenerbahce, Barry Ferguson will be breathing a sigh of relief.
The interim Rangers manager was asked about a perceived lack of physicality in his squad with the Gers starting with club captain James Tavernier at centre-half against the Steelmen.
With John Souttar, Leon Balogun and Dujon Sterling all spending time on the sidelines, Rangers have struggled against imposing, physical teams in Scotland.
The Rangers boss reckons the Ibrox side have ‘suffered’ in their absence and has urged the Rangers team to roll up their sleeves and do the dirty work.
“That is one thing that I do like – I like a powerful, physical team,” said Ferguson after the defeat to Motherwell. “That’s something that we’ve obviously been lacking because there’s been a few injuries.
“Big Leon came back in for 45 minutes. I didn’t even want to play him for 45 minutes, I’ve been honest. John, trained again today. John Souttar, he did a good session. He’s going to be available for Thursday. Dujon, back in. There’s three physical players.
“So, going forward, you’ll probably see a difference now because I’m starting to get these sorts of players back.
“That’s something that I’m looking forward to because you need competition for places. We need a different type of player at times.
“Listen, I like technical players. I like to get the ball down and play. But, listen, sometimes you need to roll your sleeves up and get right in about it.
“Unfortunately, that’s been one thing that us as a club, or us as a team, have suffered.”
