Rangers manager Steven Gerrard has provided an injury update on a variety of first-team stars at Ibrox ahead of the clash against FC Ufa on Thursday, admitting that the available squad is looking a little thin heading into the encounter.
After visa drama involving the Russian side, it was confirmed earlier today they would be able to take part in Thursday’s match, meaning there will be no easy route in the group stages of the UEFA Europa League for Gerrard’s side.
The fixture actually comes at a difficult time, with Jamie Murphy, Lassana Coulibaly, Jordan Rossiter, Graham Dorrans and Lee Wallace all missing from action right now.
The manager addressed the problems this week.
As quoted by The Daily Star, Gerrard said of Murphy and others:
I think the plan will be to let the injury settle down for a couple of days then go in and get a scan once we can get a clearer picture.
We’re a bit thin at the moment. We’re still waiting for Lassana to join us and hopefully he won’t be too long.
Jordan Rossiter, Graham Dorrans and Lee Wallace are not too far away. We’re hoping they are going to be weeks. They are going to close in and add to the numbers.
But right now with losing Jamie at Kilmarnock and with a few players having gone out, we’re a little bit thin.
The Russian side will likely provide our toughest test of the season so far, which has seen the Gers unbeaten in eight matches, having kept four clean sheets in the process.
It won’t be easy considering the squad is not at full strength but hopefully a positive result can be gained to bring to the away leg next week.
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