Kyle Lafferty set to return

[johnnyk 158]

Exclusive – Kyle Lafferty set to return to Rangers front line against Aberdeen

 

Kyle Lafferty is set to make his first appearance of the season for Rangers against Aberdeen at Ibrox on Saturday, the same fixture in which he caused controversy by feigning injury and subsequently received a three-match ban from the Scottish FA.

 

The Northern Ireland forward has returned to training after sustaining knee damage for his country against Poland in their World Cup qualifier earlier this month. He will not be risked for tomorrow’s Co-operative Insurance Cup tie at Queen of the South but could make the squad for the visit of Mark McGhee’s side.

 

Lafferty was punished retrospectively by the SFA for the clash that led to Charlie Mulgrew being sent off for an alleged headbutt. After reviewing the incident, the referee Stuart Dougal, who has since retired, rescinded the original red card, while Lafferty was given a three-match ban for deceiving the official.

 

Lafferty has played no part in Rangers’ season thus far but is likely to be given at least part of the game against Aberdeen to prove his fitness and put himself into contention for a starting place against Celtic in the first Old Firm derby of the season the following Saturday and for the Champions League Group G tie against Seville at home on September 29.

 

Walter Smith, who is facing a four-match ban for being sent to the stand during Saturday’s 0-0 draw against Kilmarnock at Rugby Park, is also hoping to welcome back Maurice Edu and Kirk Broadfoot after the next international break.

 

Edu, the USA international, underwent knee ligament surgery in the summer after sustaining the injury in the final game of last season, against Dundee United.

 

The Rangers manager will organise a closed-doors game for the midfielder when Scotland are in Japan and hopes to have Edu and Broadfoot available in time for Rangers’ third Champions League group game against Unirea Urziceni at Ibrox on October 20.

 

Broadfoot is in the middle of a rehabilitation programme after he underwent surgery on a foot injury. He was in plaster for three months but is now working on his own at Murray Park to return to full fitness.

 

The SFA confirmed Smith faces a four-match touchline ban if found guilty of misconduct. The Rangers manager was furious at he what he believed was a deliberate attempt by Manuel Pascali, Kilmarnock’s Italian midfielder, to get Pedro Mendes sent off.

 

Smith, who spends most of his match day in the stand in any case, later apologised to the referee, Steve Conroy, for his behaviour but will receive an automatic two-match ban and could have it doubled for a previous misconduct charge – he was suspended for two games after being sent off in a Scottish Cup game against Hibernian in March 2008.

 

If found guilty, Smith will miss the Old Firm derby and games against St Johnstone and Hibs. If Rangers beat Queen of the South he will miss the quarter-final.

 

http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/spl/rangers/exclusive-kyle-lafferty-set-to-return-to-rangers-front-line-against-aberdeen-1.921349

[Frankie 8,485]

He'll be the player sent off for us this weekend then...

[Norris Cole 0]

Couldn't have picked a better game for his return.

[ian1964 10,710]

Looking forward to the big man returning, I think/hope he is going to be a big player for us this season..........if he can stay clear of injury !!!