Arfield likely to miss rest of month for Gers

STEVEN Gerrard fears Rangers will be without Scott Arfield for the rest of their crucial January run.

The midfielder sat out last weekend’s Old Firm win over Celtic after damaging ankle ligaments against Hibernian on Boxing Day.

That 1-0 win over Neil Lennon’s team opened up a 19-point lead at the top but the Light Blues still have to prove they can go the distance having seen their title push blow up in each of the past two seasons.

They now face a pivotal string of fixtures before the month is out that could go a long way to deciding their Premiership fate, starting with tomorrow’s trip to Aberdeen.

They then visit Fir Park and Easter Road either side of their Ibrox showdown with Ross County but will be without Arfield as Gerrard said he is unlikely to return in January.

“He’s got quite a significant injury,” said the Rangers boss.

“He’s progressing well but in the short term Scott will be missing. It is difficult to put a date on Scott.

“What I would say is that knowing Scott, and if he keeps progressing as he has, you are looking at probably the end of the month all being well.

“We are probably looking at four to five weeks for this type of injury.

“He has been out for a couple already so you are looking at probably the end of January, the beginning of February.”

To make matters worse, Kemar Roofe will also be absent for this weekend’s Dons clash after lasting just 45 minutes against Celtic before a quad injury forced him off.

But Gerrard has better news on Ryan Jack’s progress as the midfielder looks to make his comeback after more than a month out with a persistent knee problem.

He said: “Kemar won’t be with us at the weekend. It’s difficult to put a date on that one just yet but I predict he could miss a couple of games.

“There’s better news on Ryan Jack, who has been outside and had two or three sessions and is progressing extremely well.

“If that keeps moving in that direction he should be back with the team some time in the middle of next week.”

Meanwhile, Gerrard confirmed he is to trigger Rangers’ option to extend Leon Balogun’s one-year deal after the Nigeria international’s impressive displays since moving north from Wigan in the summer.

Derby hero Allan McGregor is also in the final six months of his deal but Gerrard is happy to let the goalkeeper, who turns 38 at the end of the month, decide his own future.

Gerrard said: “There’s no talks with any of the players at the moment but that doesn’t mean we’re not keen to keep them with us.

“I think Allan’s situation is a bit different than most because of his age.

“I think it will be a case of what Allan wants to do, so at the right time I’ll sit down with Allan and we’ll speak to the people who represent him and we’ll have an open discussion on that one.

“It won’t be a case of judging him on his age, it will be a case of what he wants in terms of his own future and we’ll be very respectful to that.

“Leon is someone we want to keep hold of. He signed a contract with an option of an extension on that contract and we want him to be here beyond this season.

“There is no rush in terms of that one. Leon knows he’s wanted here.

“He’s come in and made the team and the squad a lot stronger.”

Rangers midfielder Scott Arfield was injured against Hibs on Boxing Day.

Rangers boss Steven Gerrard.