The agent of Rangers defender Nikola Katic has confirmed that the Croatian is on course to make his comeback in January.

The 24-year-old sustained an ACL injury back in July, as well as tearing the meniscus in his knee but there were optimistic claims at the time that he would be back within six months. Ives Cakarun has said the player is indeed on schedule to return slightly earlier than that:

“All is going well. We hope Nikola will be ready for January. It was a big operation, cruciate ligaments and both meniscus.”

Katic’s return will be a big boost to manager Steven Gerrard, with the sheer intensity of fixture schedule likely to require a lot of rotation of players. Even so, the defender will have his work cut out getting back into the team.

Filip Helander and Leon Balogun have excelled in the Croatian’s absence when partnered with Connor Goldson, and the defence has conceded just three goals in 14 league games so far this season.

Nevertheless, Katic’s early return will hopefully give the Gers one more option during the second half of the campaign.