Rangers manager Steven Gerrard has provided an update on Filip Helander as he continues his recovery from a knee operation.
Helander was forced off in the second half of a Rangers win at St Johnstone on 11 September and the club confirmed a few days later that after undergoing surgery, he would be out until December.
When the Sweden international was spotted at Auchenhowie earlier this week without a protective boot or crutches, hopes were raised that a return to training wasn’t far away.
However, Gerrard has appealed for patience, suggesting that an ahead-of-schedule comeback isn’t on the cards.
“Filip (Helander) is now off crutches and is doing work in the gym but is currently only around 40/50% through his recovery,” said the manager on Friday [Rangers FC Twitter].
“He is a top player and we won’t rush his recovery.”
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Helander is Connor Goldson’s best centre-back partner and he’s been sorely missed over the past month and a half.
His injury has led to a significant increase in Leon Balogun’s workload, as Jack Simpson hasn’t yet established himself at Ibrox and Niko Katic is on loan at Hajduk Split.
Balogun has started eight consecutive Gers games across all competitions since being rested for Simpson for a 1-1 draw with Motherwell at Ibrox last month.
Helander has made 55 appearances since signing from Bologna in the summer of 2019 and is under contract until the end of next season.
In other news, an EFL Championship club chairman has slapped a £7m price tag on a Rangers-linked player.