Steven Gerrard has branded reports Rangers captain James Tavernier is set to miss out on their Europa League showdown with Royal Antwerp through injury ‘fake news’.
The Ibrox captain was rumoured to be carrying a niggle ahead of the last 32 clash at the Bosuilstadion, prompting fears he may miss the trip to Belgium as a result of an undisclosed problem.
The Daily Mail reported Ryan Jack - fresh from his wonder strike against Kilmarnock - would be shifted from midfield to right back in order to shore up the Gers' rearguard.
But Gerrard has hit back at those reports, clarifying his captain will be among the travelling party heading to face the Jupiler Pro League outfit on Thursday evening.
He will also be boosted by the return of strikers Alfredo Morelos and Kemar Roofe, both of whom have missed the last two league games after receiving retrospective bans for incidents cited in wins over Hibs and St Johnstone.
Calvin Bassey, Nathan Patterson and Bongani Zungu will not be involved after they were revealed as being amongt the players caught at a Glasgow gathering in breach of current COVID-19 rules.
But Gerrard says he is delighted with the strength of his squad ahead of the continental trip after Antwerp failed to beat Rangers' previous European adversaries Standard Liege at the weekend.
He told Rangers TV: "Well obviously the boys mentioned [Bassey, Patterson and Zungu] won't be involved.
"We have got some real, good news in-terms of having Alfredo and Kemar back available which will bring a lot of firepower to the squad and the group, and I am really looking forward to having them back for this fixture.
"We have seen recent rumours that James is carrying a niggle which is fake news - there is nothing in that."
