allycoops
8th April, 2008, 11:01 AM
http://www.itv-football.co.uk/story/0,19239,11013_3396725,00.html
Rangers have received a boost ahead of their trip to play Sporting Lisbon in the UEFA Cup on Thursday with the news striker Daniel Cousin has been cleared to play after recovering from a broken jaw.
The Gabon international has been out of action for almost five weeks after sustaining the injury in a clash with Werder Bremen defender Per Mertesacker in the previous round of the competition.
However, after surgery and an intensive training programme at Murray Park the 31-year-old is now in line to make his return in the second leg in Lisbon.
After a goalless draw at Ibrox, the Gers travel to Portugal knowing a goalscoring draw will be enough to take them through to their first European semi-final in 36 years.
Manager Walter Smith - who watched his side extend their lead at the top of the Scottish Premier League on Sunday to seven points with a 3-3 draw at Dundee United - told Rangers World how pleased he was to be adding to his strike force.
"Daniel has been cleared to resume playing again, which is a big boost to us," Smith said. "He has done plenty of running and a lot of work so from a fitness point of view, he is okay.
"Obviously, with taking a knock like he did, it is a case of building up his confidence again more than anything. But now he is happy and is able to take part in training games, something he has not done so far.
"Daniel's return gives us an extra striking option. With Kris Boyd and Nacho Novo scoring at the weekend and Jean-Claude Darcheville playing well, we have a good mix."
Smith also reported there were no fresh injuries sustained in Sunday's 3-3 draw at Tannadice, meaning only DaMarcus ~~~~~~~ and Charlie Adam will be unavailable for the trip to Lisbon.
Rangers have received a boost ahead of their trip to play Sporting Lisbon in the UEFA Cup on Thursday with the news striker Daniel Cousin has been cleared to play after recovering from a broken jaw.
The Gabon international has been out of action for almost five weeks after sustaining the injury in a clash with Werder Bremen defender Per Mertesacker in the previous round of the competition.
However, after surgery and an intensive training programme at Murray Park the 31-year-old is now in line to make his return in the second leg in Lisbon.
After a goalless draw at Ibrox, the Gers travel to Portugal knowing a goalscoring draw will be enough to take them through to their first European semi-final in 36 years.
Manager Walter Smith - who watched his side extend their lead at the top of the Scottish Premier League on Sunday to seven points with a 3-3 draw at Dundee United - told Rangers World how pleased he was to be adding to his strike force.
"Daniel has been cleared to resume playing again, which is a big boost to us," Smith said. "He has done plenty of running and a lot of work so from a fitness point of view, he is okay.
"Obviously, with taking a knock like he did, it is a case of building up his confidence again more than anything. But now he is happy and is able to take part in training games, something he has not done so far.
"Daniel's return gives us an extra striking option. With Kris Boyd and Nacho Novo scoring at the weekend and Jean-Claude Darcheville playing well, we have a good mix."
Smith also reported there were no fresh injuries sustained in Sunday's 3-3 draw at Tannadice, meaning only DaMarcus ~~~~~~~ and Charlie Adam will be unavailable for the trip to Lisbon.