Rangers skipper James Tavernier’s appendix problem may save Matt Polster from being shipped out of Ibrox this month.
Steven Gerrard cleared up some confusion over Tavernier’s status on Thursday morning [Rangers.co.uk].
Online rumours had suggested that the 28-year-old could be set for months on the sidelines, but the Gers boss dismissed those claims, suggesting he will only miss a few weeks of action.
However, with it unlikely that he will return before the end of January, some of the club’s transfer plans may be required to change.
Fringe player, Matt Polster, has been linked with an exit, having made just five appearances since signing for the club a year ago.
The Daily Record reported earlier this month that as many as three Premiership clubs were interested in his signature.
However, with Tavernier out, Polster’s departure would leave the Gers short of cover at right-back, with just Jon Flanagan and Nathan Patterson as the remaining options.
Flanagan has had his own injury problems this season, making just eight appearances to date, with the last of those a disappointing outing against Aberdeen.
As for Patterson, he’s highly-rated within the club and impressed in Saturday’s friendly against Lokomotiv Tashkent.
However, he’s yet to make his competitive debut, and no matter how great his potential, it’s important not to throw him in at the deep end before he’s genuinely ready.
All of this means it’s now highly unlikely that Steven Gerrard will sanction any Polster departure during this window.
Instead, the USA international will have a chance to fight it out with Flanagan for a starting berth over the coming weeks.
It’s probably not a scenario he expected to be in, but Tavernier’s enforced absence has likely brought the 26-year-old back from the brink.
