Rabbi Matondo has returned to individual training and will be back in the “short-term” to easy Rangers’ mounting injury woes.
That’s according to manager Philippe Clement, who was speaking after the disappointing 2-1 Scottish Premiership defeat to Motherwell at Ibrox.
The Gers’ grip on top spot of the Scottish Premiership has been loosened with the club blowing the opportunity to go five points clear ahead of Celtic’s visit to Hearts.
The match was overshadowed by devastating pre-match injury news surrounding Oscar Cortes, with Ross McCausland being forced off due to a horror challenge in the first half.
Rabbi Matondo’s “short-term” Rangers injury
Speaking after the game, Rangers manager Philippe Clement was asked about the injury return of Rabbi Matondo to potentially ease the club’s issues.
Confirming that the Europa League trip to Benfica would come too soon for the Welshman, the club are expecting the 23-year-old back before long.
“Rabbi is back training individually but not with the team yet,” said Clement. “But I think it will be short-term that he will be back.
“It’s the same story with players like Tom Lawrence, if they’ve been a longer time out, you cannot put them every three days with 60, 70 minutes, and for sure not 90 minutes, so they need to build up again.
“So that’s the situation for the moment and the team is giving everything. I don’t think that’s the big reasons of today, we had enough chances to score the goals.”
Rabbi Matondo hasn’t been seen since the 3-1 victory over Ross County in February, with the winger limited to 23 games so far this season.
Ibrox injury list swells after Motherwell loss
Rangers are certainly under pressure with injuries with several key first-team players out as things stand.
Oscar Cortes and potentially Ross McCausland join a list which already includes Kieran Dowell, Todd Cantwell, Abdallah Sima, Alex Lowry, and Danilo.
Expanding further on the injury to Oscar Cortes, Clement claims that there are discussions with parent club RC Lens over the Colombian’s situation.
“It will be longer term,” said Clement. “To give you numbers, we’re first talking with a specialist and together with Lens.
“We are not the one deciding all the things, what should happen with him, because he’s a player of Lens.
“So we are in communication with them to see what are the best people to take a look at the injury.”
Rangers’ defeat to Motherwell means all eyes will be on Tynecastle tomorrow afternoon with Celtic able to leapfrogged their rivals with victory over Hearts.
