Rangers striking duo Alfredo Morelos and Antonio Colak both look set to face off against rivals Celtic in the new year derby fixture, manager Michael Beale has confirmed.
The Ibrox pair have both been struggling with knocks in recent weeks, but ahead of the top-of-the-table showdown, both strikers have returned to training.
Colak is yet to feature for Beale since he took over as manager, while Colombian international Morelos had to come off in the second half of Wednesday’s 3-0 home cinch Premiership win over Motherwell with a tight hamstring.
Kemar Roofe is also hopeful of returning to the Rangers matchday squad, but his inclusion could be hinged on the availability of his striking counterparts.
“Morelos came in yesterday and was feeling better,” Beale confirmed. “Today was the second day of recovery. The team will train again tomorrow and as far as I can see he will be available.
“Antonio [Colak] will be available as well. Kemar [Roofe] is touch and go because he's done slightly less. He will definitely be available if Alfredo isn't because it's one of those situations.
“We've used 20 players in the four league games to get the group where they are now. If Alfredo comes through, we will have played our cards quite well getting everybody fitter and stronger than they were a month ago.”
Beale also admitted that he could take a chance on Morelos given the new five-substitute rule that has been implemented into the Scottish game in recent seasons.
Asked he could take a gamble on the 26-year-old, Beale added: “I think so. I think the game is changing and players will go on longer in their careers because of it. I also think the speed of the game can pick up because you know you can change half your outfield players.
“There is definitely benefits from it. I like the five-substitute rule to be honest. It allows me to change things like I had to do at Aberdeen and I'm sure it will go the other way when I have to shore things up.
“In the season where we won the league I think Bongani Zungu played more than twenty times but nobody noticed him play five but it was important he came on in certain games.”
