Rangers forward Kemar Roofe is currently sidelined with a calf injury, and it is not the only time that the 28-year-old has been out of action this season.
The £4.5m summer signing from Anderlecht has made just 18 league appearances in total, but he has still managed to score ten goals when he has been available.
Roofe’s fitness record is the subject of a lot of debate on Twitter, with some fans asking whether it is worth keeping the striker if he spends half of the season on the treatment table:
hes top class… my thing with him is I've never seen a player take so long to get back match fit – defo stick with though
— JD ?? (@duffJwan) March 12, 2021
Can ye get calf transplants? Asking for a friend
— Blair Mulgrew (@MulgrewBlair) March 12, 2021
It's been a frustrating season for him, but maybe not a huge surprise given the way pre-season went for him.
We absolutely should stick with him, be crazy not to.
— Alexander Staff (@strider80) March 12, 2021
He’s injured most of the time he’s not the answer
— james stirling (@jamesst50264523) March 12, 2021
He seems to me to be the type of player that never gets a good run of games without injury, definitely a good player but seems to be injury prone.
— Zander (@Zander82) March 12, 2021
Stick for me regardless he's a player
— Jimmy bells stare ? (@greegsysburds2) March 12, 2021
Think that's what he's been like most of his career.
Pay as you play deal would've been perfect. Doubt he's on that though
— Scottie (@fonics7) March 12, 2021
Won us the league.?…..
— David b (@Davidbr44585332) March 12, 2021
Patience required
— Douglas (@DWMcIntyre_) March 12, 2021
Fitness is the issue here. He’s clearly got the ability but his stop start injury issues mean that I don’t think we’ve seen his full capabilities yet. Looks a bit leggy and off the pace at times. Need to see him fully fit with a full pre season to judge tbf. I like him though!
— M’Bo55a Ritchie (@BossaRitchie) March 12, 2021
With Alfredo Morelos having recently expressed his desire to leave Ibrox once again, it probably wouldn’t be wise to offload Roofe in the summer anyway.
Supporters would, of course, like him to stay fit but he has contributed some really important goals this season and there is no doubt that he’ll be an important player for manager Steven Gerrard going forward.