Bruno Alves has been one of Pedro Caixinha’s best Rangers signings at Ibrox.
Rangers boss Graeme Murty has been quoted by the Scottish Herald as saying he does not know when Bruno Alves will recover from a calf injury, making him a doubt for the Gers’ return to competitive football later this month.
Veteran defender Alves, 36, has been a regular in both Pedro Caixinha and Murty’s sides, and even captained the Scottish giants in his last three Scottish Premiership outings.
But in his last match in the Light Blue of Rangers, the Euro 2016 winner was withdrawn after just 18 minutes against Old Firm rivals Celtic and replaced by David Bates as he suffered a calf problem.
Murty stated that he does not know when Alves will return, informing fans that he will remain in Portugal to undergo treatment while the Gers travel to Florida to take on Atletico Mineiro and Corinthians.
The Ibrox manager also revealed that he does not know when he will return, placing him in doubt for Rangers matches against Fraserburgh on January 20 and Aberdeen three days later.
“He is staying in Portugal,” Murty said. “He has a significant problem or disruption with his calf so he won’t be in America.
“He will receive treatment in Portugal. I have no real timescale on how long he might be out for. I will have a closer brief with our medical staff over the coming days.”
The Gers are well-stocked at centre-back, with Danny Wilson and David Bates likely to partner eachother in the absence of Alves with Fabio Cardoso and Aidan Wilson also available to act as cover.
However, without the commanding effect of the experienced Alves, Aberdeen will fancy their chances of gaining a crucial three points against the Gers on January 23.
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