Steven Gerrard has confirmed that Filip Helander, the Swedish centre half who Rangers bought from Bologna for £3.5 million during the summer, could be out of action until February.

Helander suffered a foot injury in the Betfred Cup final against Celtic at Hampden earlier this month and hasn't featured for the Ibrox club since.

“Fil is going to be in a boot for a while, until after Christmas,” said Gerrard. “It is a very unique injury in terms of putting a time on it.

"The doctor I brought up here has been a doctor for 30 years and he has only seen this injury two or three times. It is a unique one.

"He is in a boot, on crutches and will be until after Christmas, early in the New Year. He won’t play certainly in December and possibly in January as well.”

There was, however, better news about Steven Davis, who has missed Rangers' last three games due to a foot injury.

Gerrard is hopeful the Northern Ireland midfielder will be available for the visit of Kilmarnock to Ibrox on Boxing day - and the trip to Parkhead to play Celtic on Sunday week.

“It (the Premiership game against Hibernian at Easter Road tonight) is too soon for Steven," he said. "We are expecting him to be involved around the Kilmarnock game.

"We checked that injury out yesterday and got some positive news on it. Assuming he comes through the next two or three days he will be available for Boxing Day.”

Gerrard is confident that Rangers will be able to cope without Helander due to the form of Croatian defender Nikola Katic.

“He has done well," he said. "This is the exact reason why you need four good strong centre halfs in that area. Niko has come in and done ever so well, as we expected him to do. After last week’s performance he deserves to stay in the team tomorrow.”