Tom Lawrence is poised to hand boss Philippe Clement a major Rangers injury boost by returning to full first team training.
The midfielder has not featured since being forced off during the Europa League win over Real Betis last month as his Ibrox injury curse struck again.
But The Rangers Review understands that he is now set to push for a recall to Clement’s matchday squad over the upcoming fixtures as he prepares to step up his recovery with a return to full training at Auchenhowie.
That appearance against Betis was just the fourth of the campaign for Lawrence after he also turned out against Celtic and St Johnstone after getting his first run out in 12 months in the win away to Ross County in August.
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The 29-year-old opened up on his lengthy rehabilitation programme after sustaining a serious knee injury just weeks into his Rangers career.
Lawrence made an impressive start to life in Glasgow but was forced to watch on as Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s tenure came to a premature end.
He was then absent for the final days of the Michael Beale era and is now set to feature for a third Ibrox boss as Clement prepares to welcome him back into full action with his squad.
The return of Lawrence is another welcome boost for Clement after he was able to name Jose Cifuentes and Kieran Dowell in the group for the Premiership clash with Hearts on Sunday.
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But the dramatic 2-1 win – earned thanks to late goals from James Tavernier and Danilo – came at a cost after midfielder Nicolas Raskin was stretchered off in the second half at Ibrox.
Rangers moved within five points of Old Firm rivals Celtic at the top of the Premiership but face an anxious wait to discover how long Raskin will be ruled out for.
“I didn’t see him yet so we need to make a proper assessment about that this evening or tomorrow with the doctors in hospital,” Clement said in his post-match press conference. “I hope that it is not too bad because he has been important in the last couple of weeks and is a player with a lot of potential.”
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