Rangers midfielder Joe Aribo was completely missing from their Europa League draw with Benfica on Thursday evening.
The playmaker was missing without explanation, and Steven Gerrard shared that he has picked up an illness this week.
Aribo is continuing to be monitored ahead of the trip to Falkirk this weekend but will remain a doubt for the Cup clash.
An update on Rangers’ official Twitter account on Friday afternoon claimed that he is expected to return to training next week.
That would completely rule Aribo out of the Falkirk clash, perfect timing given the drop in competition – no disrespect to them.
The 24-year-old has made seven appearances in the league this season and has found the back of the net four times.
Aribo has impressed since joining from Charlton and has added much-needed creativity from deeper positions for the Bears.
The playmaker is over-performing too, with WyScout claiming that he has only been expected to score 1.43 goals from his 10 shots on goal this season.
Many Rangers fans have reacted to the breaking news, with most of them nervous that it could be related to COVID-19 – something that the international break could have added too.
Steven Gerrard would prefer to have him available, but the Bears faithful have claimed it is best to leave him and make sure that he is 100% ahead of his return.
Ibrox News have picked out some of the best reactions below…
Back in time for Liege at Ibrox. ๐
— Curtis ๐จ๐ญ (@1872Curt) November 27, 2020
miss u already
— Ryan ๐ฌ๐ง (@Ryane1872) November 27, 2020
Better not be covid
— ๐ฎ๐โฏ๐โฏ๐ ๐ฌ๐ง (@Steven1872_) November 27, 2020
Sad!
— . (@AK72___) November 27, 2020
Nooooo
— Cameron (@bigmac1872) November 27, 2020
Hope your back for Thursday joe get well soon
— Lloyd Simpson ๐ฌ๐ง (@LloydSi24248346) November 27, 2020
Better be fine soon๐
— Josh (@Joshua_1872) November 27, 2020
In other Rangers news, many Bears slam player after ‘nightmare’ outing v Benficaย
