Philippe Clement inherited a Rangers team beset by injury problems and still managed to improve them, however, not having Danilo available has hampered his plans considerably.
Looking at the striker’s most recent Instagram post, it looks as though the Gers boss will have to do without the 24-year old for the foreseeable future.
The winter break could see Clement provide clarity on the sick list and Rangers striker Danilo’s prognosis could be a key factor in the January transfer plans.
Rangers facing Danilo nightmare that could affect transfer plans
The scar on Danilo’s right knee doesn’t match a report made shortly after the Tynecastle injury.
It claimed that a four month absence caused by medial collateral ligament surgery in his knee was on the cards.
However, things might be worse than that.
The post on Instagram shows extensive scarring to Danilo’s right knee on the outside – or lateral aspect of his knee following the path of his lateral collateral ligament that provides stability to the joint.
Due to this ligament being outside of the knee joint, open surgery is usually the approach taken by surgeons if there is a tear or rupture that needs to be fixed.
A period of 4-6 weeks on crutches partial weight bearing alongside a graded rehabilitation programme follows until full fitness is achieved at anything up to six months.
Yes, six months.
The good news is, when Rangers subbed Danilo against Hearts, he had been running about without really limping and didn’t need treatment for the initial knock.
This means that Danilo either has an incredibly high pain threshold or that the injury sustained is at the lower end of one that needs surgery.
When asked after the Brazilian’s injury if Rangers will be going into the market for a striker, Clement said:
“Yes. It will be one of the priorities.
“Tom (Lawrence) will be out until the winter break and Danilo will be out also so that’s not so good news – maybe after also but we will not get them back before the winter break.”
Fabio Silva has already been signed, Lawrence Shankland continues to be linked and Emmanuel Dennis is said to be interested on joining his former gaffer’s squad.
Clement is also missing Kemar Roofe and is fully aware of his issues so it will be a massive risk to go into the second half of the season in a title race, with European football on the horizon and just two strikers.
Danilo won’t be back for Rangers any time soon and the video that he has posted could be the biggest hint yet that Silva won’t be the last striker we see with a scarf above their head in Ibrox this month.
Could Shankland finally see his dream come true or Dennis be reunited?
