Rangers captain Lee Wallace will be back soon despite fresh surgery, says Graeme Murty

RANGERS manager Graeme Murty claims Lee Wallace will be fit soon – despite going back in for more surgery.

The Gers skipper has not played since September 15 but Murty had earlier admitted he had an outside chance of making a comeback from groin surgery against Celtic before the winter break.

However, the 30-year-old remains on the sidelines as Rangers kick off their William Hill Scottish Cup campaign against Fraserburgh on Sunday.

Murty said: “Lee has had a bi-lateral hernia repair but we’re confident he won’t be out for too much longer and that we will have him back in short order.”

The Rangers boss confirmed Bruno Alves was facing an extended spell on the sidelines while Ross McCrorie and Ryan Jack await news on injury concerns.

Alves limped off with a calf problem during the goalless draw at Celtic Park on December 30 and McCrorie aggravated an injury during Rangers’ training camp in Florida. Jack picked up a knock following a challenge with Motherwell’s Cedric Kipre on December 27.

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Murty said: “Bruno Alves is recovering but will be a while still. He’s been in Portugal having treatment but he’s back now having more treatment.

“The timescale for that is a little longer than we would have hoped but we haven’t put a definitive date on it.

“Ross has had a scan on his foot. The results are pending, when we have that we will give you a closer date and a more definitive answer.

“Ryan Jack has also had a scan and is under specialist care. This is after the tackle he suffered against Motherwell. He’s taken longer than we had hoped. Once we have that report back we will have a firmer date on his return.”

Murty has included his four January recruits for the trip to the Highland League side – Sean Goss, Jamie Murphy, Jason Cummings and Russell Martin – but midfielder Graham Dorrans remains out.

“Graham is progressing really well,” the Ibrox boss said. “He’s out of his boot and having manual therapy so he’s getting good range in his ankle now. We’re just making sure we follow the protocol correctly.”