Steven Gerrard confirms Rangers star is a doubt for clash v Benfica
Rangers manager Steven Gerrard said that midfield Bongani Zungu could be fit to face Benfica in the Europa League on Thursday.
The South African missed out on Sunday’s game against Aberdeen after picking up a knock on international duty.
Asked for an update on Zungu’s fitness, Gerrard said that is was not a big injury and that he was still being assessed.
However, he warned fans not to “be surprised” if Thursday’s game comes too soon for him.
“He has got a knock that we are assessing and checking out at the moment,” he said (via The Scotsman).
“We don’t think it is big so you could see him on Thursday against Benfica, hopefully. But don’t be surprised if he takes a little bit longer. But it is not a big problem, it is only days rather than weeks or months.”
Despite joining the club in early October, Rangers fans have still only seen one half of football from the 28-year-old midfielder.
On that occasion he impressed and his potential was tantalising, but Gerrard is taking the correct approach in refusing to rush him back.
With Steven Davis, Ryan Jack, Glen Kamara, Joe Aribo and Scott Arfield all in the frame for a start against Benfica on Thursday, there is no reason for Zungu to be hurried back if he is not ready.
The South African international will be desperate to play and fully get his Gers career underway, with the delays to its start surely becoming frustrating. He impressed for the Bafana Bafana on national team duty and did not appear rusty, but his manager will be concerned about throwing him into the side in such an important match.
Whether he is fit or not, expect Zungu to sit this one out and continue working back to fitness, before being integrated in league matches.
In other Rangers news, here are the three Gers players that have earned must-start status v Benfica