Rangers head coach, Russell Martin, allayed fears concerning the severity of Super Eagles striker Cyriel Dessers’s latest injury setback while speaking ahead of the Light Blues’ Scottish League Cup encounter with League One side Alloa Athletic, Footynaija.com reports.
Dessers appeared to have suffered a serious ankle injury during Rangers’ UEFA Champions League clash with Viktoria Plzen. The 30-year-old landed awkwardly after attempting to contest for the ball early in the second half and had to be helped off the pitch by medics as he was unable to continue.
Rangers suffered a 2-1 defeat in that game but still progressed to the next round thanks to a 3-0 victory in the first leg. After the match, Rangers boss Martin voiced his concern that the Nigerian striker may have sustained a “nasty” injury.
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However, in a fresh update provided by the former Southampton boss on Friday, it was revealed that Dessers’ injury is “nowhere near” the extent that was initially speculated and he could be back in contention as soon as Tuesday’s Champions League qualifier against Club Brugge.
“Cyriel’s injury is not as bad as first feared. Tomorrow will be too early, but we’re really hopeful he can be involved on Tuesday,” Martin said in quotes revealed via Rangers’ official website.
“Everyone feared the worst the way he went off [in midweek], but it was a small issue and nowhere near as big as it could have been. He’s a bit sore and stiff still, but everyone has worked really hard to give him the chance to be fit for Tuesday.”
In the absence of their talismanic striker, Rangers will be looking to kick-start their hunt for a 29th Scottish League Cup title in spectacular fashion. Alloa Athletic visit Ibrox on Saturday, August 16 and many expect this tie to be a straightforward one for Martin and the Gers.
