RANGERS have been handed a huge boost after it was confirmed Kyle Lafferty has not suffered a serious knee injury.
The striker limped off early in the second half after scoring in Northern Ireland's 1-1 draw with Poland at the weekend.
He was flown back to Murray Park yesterday so the club's medical staff could assess the problem and oversee a scan.
It was initially feared Lafferty had suffered a medial ligament problem that could have ruled him out for six weeks.
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But he has been given the all-clear and is now in contention to play for his country tomorrow night against Slovakia at Windsor Park in their crucial World Cup qualifier.
Lafferty revealed: "There was a lot of pain on Sunday but that has gone away. It feels good now - I've trained on it and we'll see how it goes.
"Hopefully I can play tomorrow night. Everyone knows how big a game it is and I want to play.
"I have a lot more movement now compared to after the game at the weekend so that is positive."
Northern Ireland manager Nigel Worthington insists he won't risk sidelining the Ibrox hitman by forcing him to play through the pain barrier if he isn't 100% fit, which will please Rangers manager Walter Smith.
He has high hopes for Lafferty this season and is keen to get him back in Light Blue after he missed the first three SPL games of the season through the suspension incurred for his diving incident last year against Aberdeen.
Lafferty was outstanding in a lone-striker role against the Poles before his injury, and hopes that Northern Ireland can get the win they need tomorrow night to keep their dream of making South Africa next summer alive.
He said: "It will be brilliant if we do make it, for the squad, the coaching staff and the fans - who've been exceptional.
"Every player wants to play at the highest level for club and country. We are so close now."
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