Steven Gerrard has hinted that Ryan Kent could be back fit for the start of October.
Rangers ' £7million deadline day signing lasted just 40 minutes of his debut against Livingston on Saturday after picking up a hamstring injury.
There were fears the problem could keep the former Liverpool winger out for anything up to two months.
But Gerrard , speaking ahead of Thursday's Europa League opener against Feyenoord, revealed that Kent was already "pain free".
He said: "He (Kent) is improving. He is now pain free, walking around.
"I still think he will be a couple of weeks away, he has got a hamstring problem which is obviously a tricky one to deal with.
"They are injuries you can't really rush so we will be patient. He is improving."
With Kent and Jordan Jones sidelined for upcoming games against Feyenoord, St Johnstone, Livingston and Aberdeen, Gerrard revealed that Jamie Murphy back could come back into contention sooner than expected.
The winger hasn't featured since damaging his ACL in a League Cup win over Kilmarnock 13 months ago.
But he has been back in full training since pre-season and, having missed out on a loan move during the window, the former Wigan and Motherwell man could now find himself thrust back into the spotlight at Ibrox
"Jamie has been fit for a long time but he is fighting for match sharpness," said Gerrard.
"That takes time to get back to your best. That sharpness and physicality to be ready to compete for real takes time. He is showing signs he is close.
"So it wouldn't surprise me if we see him in the coming weeks.
"We might have to accelerate him because of the injuries to Jordan Jones and Ryan Kent."
