'Blow' for Rangers: Injury expert says 6 ft 1 'powerhouse' now 'highly unlikely' to play v Braga

An injury expert has claimed that John Lundstram is now ‘highly unlikely’ to play for Glasgow Rangers tonight.

Speaking in his pre-game press conference ahead of their UEFA Europa League second leg at home to Braga, Giovanni van Bronckhorst revealed that he was hopeful that Lundstram would be available for the clash, after joining the team in training.

The former Sheffield United ace picked up a groin niggle in the 4-0 win away at St. Mirren in the Scottish Premiership over the weekend, and so the Dutchman has been left sweating over his fitness ahead of their crucial encounter tonight.

Speaking to Football Insider, medical expert Ben Dinnery, who runs the Premier Injuries site and has a background in both medicine and data analysis, has now claimed that it is ‘highly unlikely’ that Lundstram will play, in what will be a ‘blow’ for the Ibrox faithful:

“With any muscular tweak, it’s always going to be a push to make a four-day turnaround.

“Given the dynamic nature of the game when we’re talking about the groin, it is being put under high intensity.

“You have got two massive fixtures coming up, so it will be a blow.

“For a player forced off with a muscle problem, I would usually default to saying that the likelihood is that the turnaround will be too quick.

“Even if it was just a precaution, you’re risking a serious setback if he is involved against Braga.

“Players need to train ahead of a game before a coach can even make a decision about their involvement.

“Given his importance to the team, you could gamble. But would he be at 100 per cent? Highly unlikely.“

Of course, to throw Lundstram into such an important and high-pressure match after only just resuming training would be a big risk, but given what he offers to the