Steven Gerrard admits he may be forced to search for backline cover as he sweats over skipper James Tavernier.
The Rangers boss is hoping his captain is not facing a long spell on the sidelines after limping off in the first half of Thurday’s epic Europa League win against Royal Antwerp.
Tavernier has been sent for scans and is expected to be out for at least a couple of weeks, along with frontman Kemar Roofe, who was also forced off in Belgium with a calf problem.
Gerrard has plenty of options up front but he has been left short in the full back areas with young back up Nathan Patterson facing an uncertain future after his part in the Ibrox Covid breach last weekend.
The 19-year-old has been forced to isolate and will face disciplinary procedures when he returns for crunch talks with his manager.
Gerrard has no fears in slotting centre back Leon Balogun in to Tavernier’s role in the short term after he impressed coming off the bench in midweek.
But he could be forced to look for free agents if the captain is ruled out for longer.
Gerrard said: “We’ll see what the scan shows in terms of what he’s going to miss – he’ll obviously miss the next few for sure.
“But I’ve got no insecurities or issues with playing Leon there. When we recruited Leon we were away he could play centre-back or right-back.
“He did that in his German days and he’s an experienced player, he knows the game and he knows how we play.
“So he can certainly do a job there, we’ve also got Ryan Jack who’s done it previously. We want to keep Jacko where he is and we don’t want to put him back to using him as a right-back.
“Same with Glen Kamara and Scott Arfield. We have got options in there, they’re not the ideal options in terms of the midfield lads so Leon’s probably more ready for it, he’s got the physical capabilities of adapting to play there.
“But, at the moment, I’m happy to go with Leon.”
Gerrard admitted Roofe’s latest set back is also a blow after the striker battled back from a previous calf injury.
Alfredo Morelos is available to face Dundee United tomorrow after serving his three match domestic ban and producing a star turn in the 4-3 victory in Belgium that’s given Gers the advantage in their bid to reach the Europa League last 16.
Gerrard will also bring back Jermain Defoe after the experienced hitman wasn’t named in the Ibrox side’s European squad lists.
The Gers boss said: “In Kemar’s situation we’ve got big numbers on the top end of the pitch. We’ve got Scott Wright raring to go, he’s ready.
“Ryan Kent came on the other night and played well but he’s had a rest and we’ve got Joe Aribo playing up a line, Ianis Hagi, we’ve got Greg Stewart, Defoe coming back, so we’re more than happy and satisfied that Kemar will recover from this injury and get back in two or three weeks.”
Gerrard insisted his squad is in good shape going in to a crucial spell where they are looking to wrap up the Premiership title and progress in Europe.
He said: “We’ve shown the strength in depth we’ve got here. Jack has been incredible since he came back from his injury.
“I’d like to play him every minute in every game. He is that type you need but you need to protect him from himself to make sure he’s available for key games.
“He’s now ready and fresh for the weekend. The same with Kent who has a niggle. It’s nothing to worry about but he’s played a lot of games.”
