Rangers manager Michael Beale says Connor Goldson and Ben Davies are ready for selection against Hibs - as Leon King and one more move close to signing new deals.
The 42-year-old has been speaking ahead of his first competitive Premiership match in charge against Hibs on Thursday night and he is ready to welcome two experienced centre-backs into his squad after their time out with injury. Beale confirmed both aren't fully yet but will be worked slowly back into plans: "Connor's not been available for a long-time and Ben a short amount of time, compared to Connor. I wouldn't say they are 10 per cent for the game but they have returned to training which is good news. It's now about getting them ready to play 90 minutes. The ability to use five subs gives me the ability to work them back in-game rather than just outside of the team. Connor in the previous time I was hear played 99 per cent of the time.
"He led the team at different times and been hugely successful here. He is a bedrock of our team and the quicker we get him back, we have a stronger Rangers for sure. They're available for selection, I'm not going to give you the squad but they are both available."
Beale also hopes a contract extension for young defender Leon King can be announced shortly, along with 'one of the seniors' at Rangers. Ryan Kent and Alfredo Morelos are among those out of contract next summer alongside Scott Arfield, Ryan Jack Filip Helander, Allan McGregor and Steven Davis. Others like John Lundstram would also fall into the senior player bracket.
He added: "There's positive signs on that. You'll hopefully hear something on that in the next couple of days with him and another player signing a new deal.
"When you look at the squad, we have some players under 25 that are very important to the future. Leon is one of them and I am delighted. He was part of the first-team squad last time I was here but he's grown-up a lot. He's got potential to kick on and be a very good player for Rangers and the national team."
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