Rangers FC: Injury List

[DavidMc]

Rangers winger Chris Burke has made his return from injury in the reserve team, following a four-month absence.

The 24-year-old played 45 minutes in a 2-1 defeat to St Johnstone in a closed doors game at Murray Park.

Burke last played for the Ibrox club's first team in the Scottish Cup semi-final win over Saints in April.

It was during the first half of that game that Burke was carried off with an ankle injury which prematurely ended his season.

As well as missing the Scottish Cup final win over Queen of the South, Burke also missed the Uefa Cup final defeat by Zenit St Petersburg, having played an important role in both cup runs.

The twice capped Scotland international came through the Rangers youth ranks before making a scoring debut in a league match against Kilmarnock in 2002.

Burke was given his international debut during Rangers boss Walter Smith's spell in charge of the national team.

The winger scored twice in a 5-1 win over Bulgaria in 2006 as Scotland went on to win the Kirin Cup.

Shame he got injured in the first place. He was playing well and staking a claim for a first-team starting place. Will be difficult to get into the new-look midfield now. Still, competition for places is good.

[DavidMc]

Gers search for Whittaker cure

Rangers hope that an injection will cure Steven Whittaker's troublesome knee injury.

The versatile defender suffered the injury in the opening match of the Scottish Premier League season.

Manager Walter Smith had this week suggested that the 24-year-old might require an operation.

But he said: "Steven Whittaker is getting an injection in a cyst behind his knee. Hopefully, that will clear up the problem that he's had."

Whittaker's injury had not been responding as quickly as the Ibrox club's medical team had wanted.

And Smith had thought that a minor operation would be required that would keep him out of action for a further few weeks.

[DavidMc]

Ferguson nearing full fitness

Barry Ferguson is set to make his return for Rangers on Tuesday in a reserve match against St Mirren.

The Ibrox captain has been out of action since undergoing ankle surgery in July, but could lead out the first team against Hamilton next week.

"Ferguson is getting close now," said Rangers manager Walter Smith on the club website.

"He will have a full week's training and, all going well, he will play in the reserve game on Tuesday."

Steven Whittaker, who has not played since the opening day of the season due to a knee problem, is nearing full match fitness, while Lee McCulloch is also being considered for Tuesday's game. Barry coming back gives us more options. Some people might think it gives us problems in terms of who to leave out but we see it as a positive

Walter Smith

Smith said he was keen to see the club captain back in his side, but admitted that Ferguson's return could end up giving him a selection headache.

"The physios are working very hard with him and they have been stepping up his training and I hope that next week will be the start of the comeback for him," said Smith.

"Barry coming back gives us more options. Some people might think it gives us problems in terms of who to leave out but we see it as a positive.

"We obviously have an idea of how the team is going to play, and once Barry comes back, it will give us an opportunity of working within that and see where we go from there."

"For a number of our players, the problems they have encountered this season are a throwback to last season given the number of high-profile games they played.

"Quite a few of them have suffered niggling injuries and Lee and Steven Whittaker are two of them.

"We are hopeful that Whittaker will get a full week's training and he might be able to get into reserve action next week."