Borussia Dortmund will be without Erling Haaland but they have still received a major injury boost ahead of their Europa League knockout round playoff second leg against Rangers, according to Kicker.
Haaland is widely accepted to be one of the top strikers in world football and he has scored 23 goals in 20 appearances for BvB so far this season.
However, he’s missed their last four matches in all competitions after picking up a groin injury during a Bundesliga win over Hoffenheim last month.
It had been expected that after returning to the training pitch last week, the 21-year-old would be ready to play some part at Ibrox on Thursday night.
However, Kicker reported on Wednesday morning that BvB had left for Glasgow without Haaland.
It’s a major blow for the German giants, particularly as the Norway international’s replacement, Donyell Malen, struggled in the first leg.
However, the report also delivered some significant positive news for BvB fans.
Meunier makes trip in major pre-Rangers boost for Dortmund
Kicker claim that Belgium international Thomas Meunier did travel with the squad.
The 30-year-old former PSG right-back has missed several recent matches with a knock but looks to be back in contention for this one.
That’s excellent news for manager Marco Rose, particularly given that he’s without two defenders who played in the first leg, in Manuel Akanji and Dan-Axel Zagadou.
Meunier is a vastly experienced and quality operator, who is first-choice right-back when fully fit, so he could well come straight back into the starting XI at Ibrox.
Rangers take a 4-2 lead into the second leg after a stunning performance in Germany last week.
Meanwhile, a former Rangers player is reportedly set to be offered an £8.3m-a-year contract as a manager.
