Filip Helander has aimed for a return to action early next year, according to a report.
The Rangers defender has been a long-term absentee for the Light Blues and is yet to make a single appearance this season both domestically or in the Champions League. The Swede is just one of a number of key stoppers on the sidelines with Connor Goldson and John Souttar also ruled out, leaving under-fire Giovanni van Bronckhorst very short in options.
Leon King has been thrown in the deep end with summer signing Ben Davies playing alongside the youngster or the versatile James Sands, who took up the role earlier this season and has featured in that position regularly. A source close to the Sweden international admits it has been 'frustrating' for the defender but he can now see light at the end of the tunnel.
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A source told the Daily Express: "It has been such a frustrating time for Fil but we can now see light at the end of the tunnel. We thought that the injury had cleared up in the summer and Fil was feeling good as he took part in pre-season training.
"He went with the squad to Portugal and then in one of the sessions he felt the problem again and it was back to square one. He went back to see a specialist and it was decided to have an operation.
"The surgery has been a success and now he’s just going through the whole rehab process which will still take time. The hope is that he will be back in training in the early part of next year and then playing again in February or March.”
A return to fitness would come as a huge boost to the Ibrox men, who are well off the pace in the title race with Celtic. Ange Postecoglou's men now hold a nine point lead at the top going into the World Cup break, with Van Bronckhorst's future at the club dominating the headlines after more dropped points at St Mirren.
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