Former Rangers striker, Zak Rudden, is out of action again at Partick Thistle as his injury woes continue.
The 20-year-old showed promise during his progression through the age-group levels at Ibrox, before heading out on loan spells to Falkirk and Plymouth Argyle.
He finished the 2018/19 campaign as the Bairns’ top goalscorer and won their Player of the Year award, but he only managed three goals in 19 outings for Argyle.
Then, in January, with no route to the Gers first team in sight, he took the decision to leave the club, signing for Partick Thistle on a two-and-a-half-year deal.
Rangers retain an interest in his progression, though, with Jags manager, Ian McCall, confirming at the time that a buy-back clause had been inserted into his contract which could be triggered after 18 months.
However, the Scotland youth international hasn’t been able to make the kind of impact he would have been hoping for at Firhill, with the footballing shutdown and a series of injuries stalling his progress.
In fact, in the 10 months since his transfer, he hasn’t managed a full 90 minutes for Thistle.
Niggles restricted him to four Championship appearances and a solitary Scottish Cup outing last season.
He then missed out on a sizeable portion of the Jags’ preparations for the 2020/21 campaign, but things were looking up when he made two 45-minute appearances in the League Cup against Queen’s Park and Queen of the South last month.
Yet, he was once again struck down by injury just prior to the opening weekend of the League One campaign and he’s missed his side’s first four matches.
Following a 2-2 draw against Falkirk on Saturday, McCall stated that several players had undergone or were awaiting operations, but with no names provided, it’s unclear whether or not Rudden’s current problem requires surgery.
It’s been a frustrating period for the former Ger and, no doubt, for the coaching staff at Firhill, as the rangy forward would certainly be a handful for defences at League One level.
