STEVEN GERRARD has backed Jordan Rossiter to bounce back from his latest injury blow and establish himself at Rangers this season.

The midfielder marked his return to the Ibrox first team with an impressive showing against Hibernian on the final day of the Premiership campaign.

But he has suffered another setback after picking up an ankle knock during a session at the Hummel Training Centre.

Gerrard is confident his former Liverpool team-mate will be back to his best sooner rather than later.

He said: “He got an unfortunate knock on his ankle in training last week. He was probably up until that point the standout performer of pre-season, he was absolutely flying.

“It wasn’t one where you can say ‘he is injured again’. It was just an unlucky block and he has tweaked his ankle so unfortunately he is injured at the moment.

“It is a setback for him, but to be fair to the kid, you’ve got to admire his mental strength.

“He bounces back straight away, he’s in a positive frame of mind.

“He’s already arguing with physios and doctors to try to cut corners and jump ahead to be back, because the kid wants to play. He loves the game.

“People who are doubting him, he’s the type of kid that is desperate to play well for this club.

“He understands the support and how good the club have been for him, so he’s desperate to give something back.

“When he’s fit and available he’s a terrific player, so we’ll give him every chance, but it is a blow and a setback for the kid because he was the standout performer up until that point.

“He’s been outstanding in pre-season, and he carried on that form from the end of last season into the summer. He was looking a million dollars.”