Ross McCrorie has returned to his season-long loan spell with Portsmouth following a brief link up with Rangers, while Kenny Jackett has told Portsmouth.co.uk that his comeback is near.
McCrorie last played on 21st December when he was forced off during the first half of a League One fixture against Ipswich due to a hamstring problem.
The 21-year-old then briefly returned to Rangers, attending the mid-season trip to Dubai as part of his rehab process.
He’s since headed back south of the border though, with the Gers not exercising their option to recall him this month.
He won’t be involved for Pompey at the weekend, but his return to action is believed to be imminent.
“I don’t think Ross McCrorie will be available for Bolton on Saturday or the game next Tuesday, but the following weekend could be a realistic target,” Jackett told Portsmouth.co.uk.
He later added, apparently eluding in part to the Scotland U21 star: “People always ask me who I’m signing in January, but we’ve got some really good players coming back from injury.”
Verdict
It’s not a huge surprise that Rangers opted against recalling McCrorie, given his relative lack of playing time this season [15 appearances], and the strength in depth Steven Gerrard has in midfield.
It’s good news that he’s close to returning to action, though.
The Gers Academy graduate had to deal with suspension, multiple injuries and time out of favour over the first half of the campaign, and he’ll be hoping for better luck in 2020.
He’s flitted between his familiar defensive midfield role and right-back, and will be hoping to nail down one of those in order to start racking up minutes.
Only through playing week in, week out, will he have a realistic chance of developing his game and impressing Steven Gerrard.
