Rae delays return

Rangers midfielder Gavin Rae has had to postpone his long-awaited comeback following knee surgery after developing a problem in his other leg.

The Scotland international underwent an operation for cruciate ligament damage in his left knee seven months ago and his rehabilitation had been successful - but now he has developed a problem in his other leg and will not play this season after all.

Manager Alex McLeish, who had signed him from Dundee last season, told official website www.rangers.co.uk: “It has now been some seven months since Gavin had cruciate ligament surgery to his left knee.

“He has made a full recovery from this, however, unfortunately he has developed troublesome tendonitis of the quadriceps muscle in his other leg. He has been seen by two independent specialists about this and they have advised he is to rest for the next six to eight weeks.

“We expect him to make a full recovery towards the end of the season and be fully fit for the commencement of pre-season training.”

Fitness setbacks have dogged Rae since his arrival in January 2004.

He suffered a recurrence of a hamstring strain on his debut, recovered to force his way back into the side but had his career put on hold when he damaged his knee at Dundee United on April 24 last year.