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Rangers transfer news: Gerrard could lose Worrall this month after O’Neill appointment
Martin O’Neill could hand Rangers a major defensive headache by recalling Joe Worrall to Nottingham Forest.
The former Celtic manager took over the reins at Forest yesterday and immediately began assessing his squad to see where he needs to strengthen this month to aid a promotion push towards the Premier League.
That could see O’Neill cut short Worrall’s season-long loan at Ibrox.
The 22-year-old and Connor Goldson have established themselves as Steven Gerrard’s first-choice centre-half pairing, with the duo starting the three matches before the winter break, including the derby win over Celtic.
O’Neill, however, has inherited a squad that is badly depleted in the defence. Michael Dawson and Michael Hefele are both injured, while Tobias Figueiredo is struggling for fitness.
If Forest do decide to take Worrall back they will owe money to Rangers, who had to fork out a fee to land him on August 31.
Light Blues manager Gerrard had previously expressed an interest in signing the England Under-21 cap on a permanent deal but it is unlikely Gers would be able to afford such a move.
Rangers remain interested in bringing in pre-contract signing Glen Kamara this month and are trying to agree a fee with league rivals Dundee.
Gerrard has said that Jermain Defoe has given his side the 'luxury' of upfront options.
"It's so exciting to have the options because we haven't really had that," Gerrard told Rangers TV.
"We've only really had one or two ways of playing and we've tended to stick with that.
"When we use Jermain, if we use him with another forward, everyone else will maybe have to adapt and evolve."