Rangers have been handed a huge lift ahead of their Premiership clash on Saturday afternoon...

What's the word?

Speaking ahead of that fixture, as per the club's official Twitter channel, Ibrox manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst has revealed that striker Alfredo Morelos is in line to make his long-awaited return from injury this weekend.

Asked about the fitness of his squad heading into the home clash against Kilmarnock, the Dutchman stated: “The squad is looking good. The biggest change will be Alfredo will be in the squad. He’s been training really hard with the team and he’s ready to be in the squad for tomorrow and hopefully play some minutes as well.”

The Colombia international has been absent since sustaining a thigh injury in April, with that issue ultimately ruling him out of the final few weeks of last season.

Massive boost

Amid what will already be a frenzied atmosphere at Ibrox as supporters return for the first home game of the season for the Light Blues, news of the 26-year-old's return will only add to that bubbling excitement, with the crowd surely desperate to see the former HJK Helsinki man back in action.

While there are still lingering doubts over the £11.7m-rated marksman's future in Glasgow with less than 12 months remaining on his existing deal, for now those of a Rangers persuasion will simply be delighted to see him fit and firing again, with Van Bronckhorst's side having sorely missed the talismanic figure of late.

Tuesday night's Champions League defeat to Union Saint-Gilloise in particular, showcased the void that the £33k-per-week menace leaves behind when he is unavailable, with summer arrival Antonio Colak having proven to be a "waste of time" in Belgium, according to pundit Mark Hateley.

In truth, while seeing the 11-cap brute in action this weekend would be a welcome development, the onus will be to ensure that Morelos is raring to go in the second leg of their European tie in midweek, with Van Bronckhorst seemingly in need of his talisman to help overturn the two-goal deficit.

The odds are stacked against them, although if ever there were a man to pull a rabbit out of the hat for Rangers, it is 'The Buffalo'. The 5 foot 10 titan has been prolific for the club in recent years, with his tally for the Light Blues now standing at 113 goals in 224 games in all competitions.

The belief will be that he can add to that haul against Kilmarnock this weekend if he features, gearing him up for the pivotal European encounter on Tuesday evening.

After the disappointment in Belgium earlier this week, Morelos' return could be the welcome boost that the Ibrox faithful need.