RANGERS manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst has revealed Leon Balogun could be available for the Boxing Day match with St Mirren.

The Ibrox boss told the media the Nigerian defender would train with his team-mates today before being assessed ahead of Sunday's match.

It would be a boost for Van Bronckhorst with Calvin Bassey currently partnering Connor Goldson in central defence. However, Bassey has impressed with his stand-in showings.

More importantly, though, for Van Bronckhorst there are no new injuries to his playing squad ahead of the final match before the winter break.

Speaking today, Van Bronckhorst said: "Leon (Balogun) will join in the session today and we will see if he is fit for Sunday, no fresh injury concerns."

Rangers have also been boosted by the news Filip Helander is nearing a return with him back in individual training.

He is hoped to rejoin full training with his team-mates after the winter break in the New Year.

Van Bronckhorst confirmed: "Filip (Helander) has been back individually for a couple of weeks and hopefully after the break, he can join up with the group for training sessions."

Rangers will be seeking to extend, or at least maintain, their six point lead at the top of the table but Van Bronckhorst warned his side must be prepared for the visit of St Mirren.

The Buddies come into the match after a heroic point against Celtic with 11 first-team stars out with Covid and a youthful matchday squad.

Van Bronckhorst said his players will go "full throttle" for the three points: "St Mirren will arrive with great morale after a good result, we will have to be prepared and we want to go into the winter break with the same advantage.

"We always want to go full throttle. We are fit and ready to play, this is the last game before the break so we want to keep our winning streak. We go out on Sunday to get the three points."