Rangers injury latest – five key men missing to face UFA?

Rangers’ injury concerns are deepening a touch at the moment with uncertainty over midfielder Lassana Coulibaly’s thigh injury and Jamie Murphy’s ligament issues, on top of Jordan Rossiter (calf), Graham Dorrans (knee) and Lee Wallace’s ongoing recovery to full fitness, Rangers could conceivably be without five major first team squad members for the visit (assuming it happens) of UFA on Thursday in the play-off.

Coulibaly suffered a small knock v St Mirren and has been absent since, with a scan revealing the extent of the injury is not meant to be too severe, but ETA on his return is unclear and it is hoped he will make Thursday.

Murphy, as we know, suffered a potentially season-threatening injury at Killie, and the swelling on his ailment has to recede before an accurate assessment can be made of the prognosis for  him, but he will certainly be unavailable for some considerable time.

Jordan Rossiter is said to be a ‘few weeks away’ according to the manager, so his long-awaited return is getting closer but we refuse to get our hopes up after pre-season absolutely wrecked his potentially outstanding comeback.

Graham Dorrans is in injury hell – the knee injury appears to be even worse than feared and his absence from the first team has been claimed at six months and beyond. Could be well into 2019. This one looks ugly and the cruel irony is his contract expires summer 2020 and we honestly couldn’t promise he’ll be fit and raring to go before then.

Last but not least Lee Wallace isn’t ready yet but has finally rejoined training. The issues with the club seem to have either been resolved or forgotten, and now that the former captain has got back to some kind of health it’s progress, but still alas he remains some time away from being available yet.

Rangers do have the numbers to cover this, but nevertheless the sooner the full squad is available, the better.