Rangers boss Mark Warburton expects to see Jordan Rossiter back in action this season but will not put a firm time scale on his return.
The Old Firm giants claimed they had pulled off a major coup by persuading the former Liverpool prospect to make the move north to Glasgow back in May.
But the 19-year-old has not been seen in a Rangers shirt since August, with a persistent calf issue blamed for his lengthy absence.
It has frustrated both the teenager and his boss, who on more than one occasion has reported Rossiter was on the verge of a comeback only for another setback to crush hopes.
Warburton believed the former Anfield youngster could provide the bite his midfield has been lacking and planned to combine the England youth international with his marquee summer signings Joey Barton and Niko Kranjcar.
But that scheme began to unravel when Barton was left out in the cold after a bitter falling-out with the Rangers boss, while Kranjcar has also suffered an injury blow which has ruled him out for the rest of the campaign.
However, Warburton, whose team play Motherwell in the Scottish Cup today, remains optimistic that Rossiter will make his return soon.
He said: “Jordan is getting there. He’ll be working outside this week.
“I get very frustrated because I know his frustration, I know his pain at not being able to play.
“We know what a good player he is. He’s an outstanding young talent.
“But I’m not going to put pressure on him by putting a date on when he’s going to be back. But the fact he’s going to be going outside very soon is good news, so fingers crossed we see Jordan sooner rather than later.
“Do we expect to see him back at some stage this season? Absolutely.”