Rangers trio close to comebacks

05 January 2011 20:00

Nikica Jelavic, Maurice Edu and Steven Naismith are nearing returns for Rangers, according to manager Walter Smith.

Edu and Naismith could play in Monday's Scottish Cup fourth-round clash with Kilmarnock, while Jelavic may return against Hamilton on January 15 or St Mirren three days later. Jelavic will return to Rangers' Murray Park training ground later this week, and Smith hailed the Croatia striker as being like a new signing.

Smith told RangersTV: "Nikica has been back in Croatia training at the national centre in Zagreb and doing very well. We will see how he is in terms of his overall fitness and I would hope he wouldn't be too far away from playing."

He added: "I would think it would be the middle of the month but we will just have to wait and see.

"Losing him to injury has been the biggest disappointment of the season so far - never mind losing games or dropping points. He started very well and then we lost him and you just have to try to handle that.

"We have handled it without him but hopefully we can get him back soon. It will be like getting a new player and we will be very pleased to see him back in a Rangers jersey."

Edu has been out with a knee problem and then a hamstring strain - something which has also been troubling Naismith.

Smith added: "They are both recovering now and by the weekend they should be nearly ready. Monday's Killie game is maybe too soon because Maurice hasn't played since mid-November but I am hoping he will be fit by then.

"Whether we have to throw him in or not will depend on our situation.

"The same goes for Stevie. He could be ready but we need to be careful."

Source: PA