Rangers injury latest: Expected return dates when Derek McInnes could welcome back quintet of Ibrox stars

Rangers are hoping to welcome key players back over the coming weeks and months, but Derek McInnes still faces a challenge managing his bloated squad as their Premiership campaign gathers pace.

Captain Lawrence Shankland and fellow striker Youssef Chermiti remain among the major injury absentees, while fresh problems have added to the manager’s selection headaches.

Here is a full breakdown of the latest reported recovery timelines. All projected dates remain estimates rather than guarantees, with medical assessments and progress on the training pitch ultimately determining when each player can return.

Lawrence Shankland – early December

The Ibrox skipper is understood to be making encouraging steps after undergoing surgery for a hamstring tear sustained during the 1-0 win over Motherwell on September 5.

Shankland said his recovery was progressing in the right direction after coming off crutches earlier this month, but admitted it was difficult to put an exact date on his return. The Scotland international expects to be back well before the end of the season, with early December identified as the likely timeframe.

Youssef Chermiti – potentially April 2027

Chermiti faces the longest road back after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury in August. The Portuguese striker is undergoing rehabilitation at present, with a return around late April 2027 listed as a possibility.

Although there has been murmurs of his progress, Rangers are unlikely to take any unnecessary risks with a player facing a lengthy period on the treatment table.

Cammy Devlin – November

The Australian midfielder was expected to miss around six weeks after sustaining a hamstring problem against Celtic in September.

Devlin managed to avoid going under the knife, which offered some encouragement, but his absence is expected to extend beyond Rangers' late-October fixtures. A return after the international break in November is the current expectation, subject to his rehab.

Daisuke Yokota – late October or November

Japanese winger Yokota has been hampered by a groin issues that required surgery. His recovery has been described as a matter of months rather than weeks, although some injury trackers suggest a potential return towards the end of October could be on the cards.

Rangers will need to assess his fitness before determining whether he can return to competitive action at that stage.

Ross McCrorie – early November

McCrorie is the latest player to have suffered a setback, with a minor hamstring injury expected to keep him out for approximately three weeks.

The versatile defender was ruled out ahead of the Dundee fixture, meaning early November is a likely return target if his recovery proceeds as expected.

The overall picture

Rangers have several important players working towards a return, but Shankland and Chermiti remain the most significant long-term absentees. Devlin, Yokota and McCrorie offer more immediate possibilities.