Barry Ferguson is set to make his return for Rangers on Tuesday in a reserve match against St Mirren.

The Ibrox captain has been out of action since undergoing ankle surgery in July, but could lead out the first team against Hamilton next week.

"Ferguson is getting close now," said Rangers manager Walter Smith on the club website.

"He will have a full week's training and, all going well, he will play in the reserve game on Tuesday."

Steven Whittaker, who has not played since the opening day of the season due to a knee problem, is nearing full match fitness, while Lee McCulloch is also being considered for Tuesday's game.

Barry coming back gives us more options. Some people might think it gives us problems in terms of who to leave out but we see it as a positive Walter Smith

Smith said he was keen to see the club captain back in his side, but admitted that Ferguson's return could end up giving him a selection headache.

"The physios are working very hard with him and they have been stepping up his training and I hope that next week will be the start of the comeback for him," said Smith.

"Barry coming back gives us more options. Some people might think it gives us problems in terms of who to leave out but we see it as a positive.

"We obviously have an idea of how the team is going to play, and once Barry comes back, it will give us an opportunity of working within that and see where we go from there."

"For a number of our players, the problems they have encountered this season are a throwback to last season given the number of high-profile games they played.

"Quite a few of them have suffered niggling injuries and Lee and Steven Whittaker are two of them.

"We are hopeful that Whittaker will get a full week's training and he might be able to get into reserve action next week."