Virus means Tavernier is likely to miss Stranraer

RANGERS captain James Tavernier is a major doubt for tomorrow’s Scottish Cup tie with Stranraer at Ibrox after picking up a virus. The 28-year-old has played 35 out of 37 games this season and may well have been rested in any case against the struggling Stair Park side, who are currently bottom of League One. However, Tavernier could yet face a race against time to be fit in time for the Premiership fixtures resuming after the winter break when Steven Gerrard’s side host St Mirren on January 22. His likely absence against Stranraer is set to open the door for Scotland Under-19 international Nathan Patterson. The 18-year-old recently pledged his future to the Ibrox club until 2022 amid interest from a number of English clubs. Patterson was handed a start in a 6-1 win over Uzbeki champions Lokomotiv Tashkent during this month’s training camp in Dubai. Other options at right-back tomorrow night include Jon Flanagan or Matt Polster. Meanwhile, Sunderland are poised to win the race to land Greg Docherty on loan. Charlton have also made contact with Ibrox chiefs about taking the 23-year-old former Scotland youth international for the rest of the season but the Stadium of Light is Docherty’s preferred destination. Winger Jamie Murphy, meanwhile, is also set for a move, with Burton Albion ready to make a loan offer. Docherty has featured just five times for Gerrard’s team this term but is not yet ready to give up on his Ibrox career. And he feels the opportunity on offer with Phil Parkinson’s Black Cats — who recently signed Docherty’s former Ibrox team-mate Kyle Lafferty — could yet help him prove to Gerrard he has a long-term future in Govan. The former Hamilton midfielder made the switch to Rangers in January 2018 but was farmed out to League One side Shrewsbury last season. Murphy has also struggled to break back into Gerrard’s team after suffering a serious knee injury last season. He is fit again, however, and is attracting attention from Burton boss Nigel Clough, who is familiar with him from his previous stint at Sheffield United.