Rangers winger Abdallah Sima will return to the training pitch for the first time next week as he progresses in his injury recovery.

The Ibrox ace - on loan from Brighton - was ruled out after picking up a thigh problem on international duty with Senegal at the Africa Cup of Nations.

A timeline of two to three months was set out for Sima's recovery after going under the knife to correct the issue.

Philippe Clement remains reluctant to put a firm timeframe on Sima's comeback but confirmed the winger is doing well and will be back on the grass next week - albeit without a ball.

“He’s good. Getting better and better. He’s on schedule," said Clement of Sima's condition.

“I don’t want to put a timescale on that, it’s a little too early.

“But next week for the first time he’s going to go on the grass for the first time without the ball. So that’s his normal programme."

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While Sima continues in his injury recovery, Clement will have Kemar Roofe at his disposal against Motherwell.

The striker sat out of the midweek win over Kilmarnock due to concerns over the artificial surface and a possible injury reoccurrence.

However, he could feature at Ibrox on Saturday with Clement keen to keep him fit for the rest of the season.

On whether he wished he could use Roofe more, Clement admitted: “Yes of course and we’re working hard on that with Kemar, the medical staff, the performance staff.

“He’s someone with a lot of experience who has this feeling in the 18-yard box.

“And he works really hard too for the team. He’s not just someone who’s interested in scoring goals.

“So we hope to keep him fit now for the rest of the season. We’re working hard on that."