STEVEN GERRARD faces an anxious wait to discover if James Tavernier and Ryan Jack will be fit to take on Bayer Leverkusen after Jermain Defoe was ruled out of the Europa League clash. 

The trio missed Rangers' victory over Ross County on Sunday as Ryan Kent netted the only goal of the game to ensure Gerrard's side got back to winning ways in the Premiership.

Attentions will now turn to the visit of the Bundesliga giants this week as Rangers look to take a positive result into the second leg of their last 16 clash and give themselves another much-needed boost ahead of Sunday's Old Firm clash at Ibrox.

Tavernier was replaced by Matt Polster after being forced off against Hamilton in midweek, while Jack was a late call-off in Dingwall and Defoe has suffered another calf injury after previously missing a couple of weeks with a knock.

And the absence of all three was a major blow for Gerrard as he saw his side battle to victory in Dingwall to end their three-game domestic winless run.

Gerrard said: “To start getting back to where you want to get to, you have to start the building process and reset yourself. Today’s performance, winning with a clean sheet, gives us something. It wasn’t perfect but it gives us something to move forward from.

“The negatives are that in the last 24 hours, we have lost Defoe, Tavernier and Jack to injuries, which isn’t ideal for myself or the group.

“Defoe is definitely out of Thursday night. There is a chance for Jack and Tav but the next couple of days are crucial.

“They both tried to make themselves available, Jack got off the bus on Saturday night and had an issue with his knee. The next couple of days are crucial with him.

“Tav tried to train on Saturday with the injury he came off the pitch with last Wednesday night and has made it worse. So he is probably a bigger doubt than Jack. I need those players available if possible.”