Gers would be happy to let Jones go on loan deal

RANGERS are understood to be prepared to accept loan offers for Northern Ireland winger Jordan Jones.

The 26-year-old has had a turbulent time at Ibrox since joining from Kilmarnock in the summer of 2019 and hasn’t played for the Gers since he was hit with a seven-game ban for breaching Covid-19 regulations.

Jones was previously linked with a move to a host of English Championship sides including Michael O’neill’s Stoke, his boyhood club Middlesbrough as well as Barnsley, QPR and Blackburn.

His team-mate George Edmundson, who was given the same sanction by the Scottish FA in November, is also set to exit the club on a temporary deal.

The pair have continued to be left out of match day squads by manager Steven Gerrard even after their bans came to an end, despite the manager initially seeming to leave the door open to a return.

“I spoke to them both individually and they were both very sad over the incident, they were remorseful, apologetic and full of regret,” he said in the initial aftermath of the suspensions.

“Now it’s about me giving them the support and managing the two to come back to being top players because they’re good players, we need them here to help and support us moving forward.”

Northern Ireland international, Daniel Ballard, meanwhile, has extended his loan deal at Blackpool until the end of the season. Arsenal have agreed the loan deal can be extended beyond January 31.

“I’ve enjoyed my time here so far and I want to continue helping the team push up the table,” said Ballard.