Gerrard provides big injury update ahead of Rangers clash v Motherwell
Steven Gerrard has announced that Ryan Jack is back training with the first-team after a long lay-off, ahead of Rangers’ clash at Motherwell on Sunday.
Jack has been out since November 22 after picking up an injury in the 4-0 win over former club Aberdeen at Ibrox, missing the last 13 fixtures as the Gers have motored on in his absence.
Gerrard’s side have lost only once in that period, a 3-2 defeat to St Mirren in the League Cup on December 16, winning all of their Scottish Premiership games to take their lead over Celtic to 21 points.
Speaking in his pre-Motherwell press conference, Gerrard revealed that Jack was “back with the group training” but urged caution ahead of his return, as reported by the club’s official twitter, saying: “Jack is a difficult one as he is so important and his consistency levels are superb.
“He wants to be in the team as much as possible but the reality is he does need looking after and we will look after him as he is such an important player for both club and country.”
Reading between the lines it looks unlikely that Jack will play much of a role, if any, in Sunday’s game at Fir Park, but it will be a big boost to fans just to see the sight of him back in a Rangers strip and around the first-team.
Jack’s back
The impending return of Jack from injury is sure to bolster Gerrard’s ranks further and can only help the Gers in their bid for domestic and European glory.
Without the 28-year-old Gerrard has generally chosen a midfield trio of Steven Davis, Glen Kamara and Scott Arfield, while the latter’s recent absence has given Joe Aribo the chance to stake his claim for a spot in the middle of midfield.
The Light Blues also have Bongani Zungu as a rotational option so the return of Jack will mean that they now possess a wealth of quality midfield options.
With Aberdeen’s Scott Wright also reportedly set to move to Ibrox, possibly in January, Rangers are now well stocked in this department and should be free to focus on other areas of the squad, should they feel it is necessary.
Gerrard might well feel any more additions to the side can be put on hold until the summer and after the conclusion of the current campaign following the scintillating start to the season made by his charges.
In other Rangers news, see our exclusive interview with Big ‘Eck on the significance of Sunday’s win over Aberdeen.