Rangers star DENIES rumours his career is over and insists he’s on road to recovery to help Giovanni van Bronckhorst
RANGERS boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst has not had his problems to seek on the injury-front - with NINE first-team players currently unavailable.
Central defence has been particularly stretched with the Gers boss relying on makeshift centre-half James Sands to partner 18-year-old Leon King.
However the teenager suffered a horrific head knock in the 1-1 draw with St Mirren to add to the medical misery at Ibrox.
Updates from hospital were positive for the teen after the sickening clash.
He had been drafted in after Connor Goldson pulled up with a thigh problem in the 7-1 Champions League defeat to Liverpool while John Souttar has been missing since the opening day of the season.
Ben Davies has also been in and out of the side, compounding Filip Helander's long-term lay-off since last season.
Read More Scottish Football
There could be light at the end of the tunnel though as Swede Helander is believed to be close to a return and could end his long wait for action early next year.
A rare foot injury first developed in 2019 but the same complaint affected his OTHER foot in April forcing the international to miss the Europa League run-in and early part of this season.
There were fears the complicated issue could threaten the 29-year-old's future but the Scottish Daily Express has played down the rumours and say after surgery he could be back to boost Giovanni van Bronckhorst's selection options after Christmas.
A source close to the Swede said: "Fil was feeling good as he took part in pre-season training.
Most read in Football
"He went with the squad to Portugal and then in one of the sessions he felt the problem again and it was back to square one.
“He went back to see a specialist and it was decided to have an operation.
"The surgery has been a success and now he’s just going through the whole rehab process which will still take time.
“The hope is that he will be back in training in the early part of next year and then playing again in February or March.”
Connor Goldson will be out until after the World Cup and Ben Davies also missed the draw in Paisley where youngster King picked up his head knock in a nasty collision.
Read More on The Sun
He was taken to hospital following the clash with Curtis Main.
Boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst said: "The doctor is with him now and says he's okay. Fingers crossed, I think he's going to be fine."
Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page