Steven Gerrard hopeful Ryan Jack's return isn't far away

Steven Gerrard is hopeful Ryan Jack will return to training with the Rangers squad in the next couple of weeks.

The midfielder has been sidelined with a calf injury since February. Jack underwent surgery in the summer and Gerrard is optimistic his return isn’t too far away.

“He’s doing really good,” Gerrard said. “He’s due back on the pitch any day now.

“Hopefully we’ll get him back in the group within the next couple of weeks and then we can see him back playing.”

Though keen to welcome the Scotland international back into the fold, Gerrard was wary of putting a specific return date down or apply any pressure.

“We’re not going to put a date on him,” the manager said. “I think he’s been out too long and missed too many games to put a date on him.

“We don’t want Ryan to feel like he’s letting us down. We don’t want to let the fans down if we get that date wrong.

“We just want to be patient and we’ll get him back when he’s ready. That’s the key thing here.”

And the Rangers boss revealed that the player was eagerly anticipating his eventual return to action.

“Ryan’s desperate to come back,” he said. “He’s had a real frustrating time and we’ve been frustrated because he’s such a key part of how we play and what we’re trying to build here.

“Hopefully this time he can come back clean and ready and help contribute towards the team.”