Rangers manager Walter Smith has revealed he hopes to have Nikica Jelavic back in action next month.
The striker has been sidelined since the beginning of October after suffering ankle ligament damage in a crunching challenge with Ian Black during a 2-1 win over Hearts.
Smith told Blues News: "He had the operation on the ankle ligaments in Croatia and has been doing the rehabilitation with the specialist who did the operation. They are pleased with everything that's happening and he's working extremely hard. We had been hopeful of getting him back by the start of January and they are optimistic it might be a couple of weeks earlier than that but we will just have to wait and see."
However, Smith admits another of his summer signings, Vladimir Weiss, is still being troubled by a heel problem despite featuring in Sunday's 3-1 win at St Mirren.
The on-loan Manchester City winger played the opening 45 minutes, before making way for the introduction of Kyle Lafferty.
Smith said: "He's got a little bit of a heel problem at the moment. He trained on Saturday and felt it was okay.
"He's suffering a little bit from it so hopefully in the next couple of games we can get it cleared up and he can get back to normal.
"I think it's causing him a little bit of a problem just now."
Source: PA
