Thomson suffered a serious knee injury in November

Midfielder Kevin Thomson is in line for a first-team return at the start of the new season as Rangers look to defend their Scottish Premier League title.

The 24-year-old has been sidelined with a knee injury since November but has now been given the all-clear to participate fully in training.

"The specialist is very happy with the way the injury has progressed," manager Walter Smith told the club website.

"It means that he will now do all the work with the rest of the group."

The former Hibernian man was enjoying an impressive spell when he was injured in a 4-0 win at Kilmarnock eight months ago.

"It will obviously take him a little bit of time to get his match fitness up but if we can get him a number of games over the pre-season then he will be ready, if not for the start of the season then shortly afterwards," added Smith.

"I have said on many occasions that I felt he was starting to show great form just before he suffered the injury.

"It always takes a bit of time for young players to settle at a new club and that was the case with Steven Whittaker, Maurice Edu and Kyle Lafferty.

"But they are all past that stage now and I just felt that Kevin was getting to the situation where he was beginning to influence games and hopefully when he gets back he will be able to start where he left off."

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