Rangers attacker Niko Kranjcar set for six months out with injury

NIKO KRANJCAR will be out of action for the rest of the season after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury.

Boss Mark Warburton confirmed that the Croatian would face a six month rehabilitation period after undergoing surgery.

He said: “Niko has unfortunately suffered an ACL injury. He’s currently having it reconstructed by one of the best surgeons down in London.

“Everyone in the building is so disappointed for him. They know how hard he works.”

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After signing from New York Cosmos in the summer, the former Spurs, Portsmouth and QPR star struggled to find full fitness.

But his influence in the team had started to grow just as injury struck.

Rangers will potentially look to the loan market to bring in a short-term replacement for Kranjcar, as well as covering for the likely loss of fellow marquee signing Joey Barton.

“We might look for a loan option in January,” said Warburton.

“We need to have strength and depth. We’ll see how the squad is shaping up come then.

“If you use the loan market wisely you can access a player you normally wouldn’t be able to afford.”

Warburton is also backing his captain Lee Wallace to start for Scotland against England at Wembley.

Wallace was named in Gordon Strachan’s squad earlier today and faces competition for the left back spot from Swansea’s Stephen Kingsley.

In an interview with Rangers TV he said: “I hope very much he gets to play in what will be a magnificent a game at a fantastic venue.

“So fingers crossed for that, but Lee’s first focus will be here and hopefully his form takes him into that national environment.”

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