Dujon Sterling has been added to Rangers’ Europa League squad after Derek Cornelius was ruled out for at least two months.
Versatile Sterling, who hasn’t played since April because of an Achilles injury, is nearing full fitness and played for Rangers Under-19s on Monday.
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His return will give Danny Rohl much-needed options at centre-back in the absence of injured pairing John Souttar and Cornelius.
As Rangers prepare for the Europa League visit of Braga on Thursday, head coach Rohl revealed Canada defender Cornelius has undergone surgery on a muscle injury sustained during the recent international break.
“Derek has the surgery in the morning today, that means he will for sure be longer out. Minimum, the end of January, if not longer,” said Rohl.
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“We put Dujon now on the [European] list. But still, for him, after the first game minutes on Monday, this is a process.
“If you are out six months, it’s not easy to be ready straight after one week. But it was a decision also for the next European games to cover this position, then hopefully in the next games.”
After four defeats from four, Rangers are bottom of the Europa League table at the halfway stage and seeking their first points against a Braga side who won 2-1 at Celtic Park last month.
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“They are well organised, they are very aggressive in how they play football against the ball, they have solutions with the ball, I think they will also come with confidence in this competition,” said Rohl.
“But for us as well, it’s the next challenge. We know we need points in this competition as well, this is always our goal.
“I want to see tomorrow a next step forward compared to the last two European games. It’s important to play without mistakes, to play on the front foot, bring the crowd behind you, try something instead of being passive and just waiting, that’s what I want to see from my team tomorrow.
“We have to deliver a proper fight and try to get points.”