BBC Sportfootball

IN ASSOCIATION WITH

Related BBC sites

Page last updated at 16:39 GMT, Friday, 4 July 2008 17:39 UK

McGregor set to resume training

Rangers goalkeeper Allan McGregor
McGregor's injury saw him miss the Uefa Cup final

Rangers goalkeeper Allan McGregor has been given permission to return to full training after recovering from ankle and knee injuries.

The 26-year-old has not played since sustaining damage to his ankle during an Old Firm defeat in April.

During his absence, McGregor underwent an operation to cure a knee problem.

Manager Walter Smith told the club website: "I would hope that, within the next week, he will be in among the rest of the players on a full-time basis."

McGregor, who signed a new five-year contract with the Ibrox club last week, is now likely to take part in the pre-season tour of Netherlands and Germany.

We could afford to lose a few players. But, if we do that, our overall squad won't be affected too greatly

Rangers manager Walter Smith

Rangers' first game of the new season will be the Champions League qualifying match against either Santa Coloma or FBK Kaunas at the end of July.

"We will give him plenty of time to make sure he is right and I'm sure he'll be ready to resume playing when we go over to Holland and Germany," added Smith.

"With a week of games and training over there, I think Allan will be ready to come back in at some point.

"In this case, he'll be able to spend a lot of next week gaining a level of fitness before we are back into matches again."

Meanwhile, Smith admits that some of the club's strikers may leave the club this summer.

MY SPORT: DEBATE

The purchases of Kenny Miller and Kyle Lafferty and the imminent arrival of Andrius Velicka has sparked speculation over the Ibrox futures of Kris Boyd, Daniel Cousin and Jean-Claude Darcheville.

"With regards to our strikers, it is obvious to suggest people might move on when you sign a few first, but we want good competition in the team," said Smith.

"We could afford to lose a few players. But, if we do that, our overall squad won't be affected too greatly."


see also
McGregor extends stay at Rangers
27 Jun 08 |  Rangers
Double injury blow hits Rangers
17 Apr 08 |  Rangers
Miller delight at Rangers return
13 Jun 08 |  Rangers
Velicka completes Rangers switch
16 Jun 08 |  Rangers
Lafferty completes Rangers move
19 Jun 08 |  Rangers


related bbc links:

related internet links:
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites