Andrius Velicka on his way back to Ibrox for pre-season

RANGERS have confirmed forgotten man Andrius Velicka is expected to return to pre-season training at Murray Park after almost a year out with a horrific knee injury.

The Lithuanian striker endured a nightmare debut a day after joining Bristol City on loan in August, lasting just 11 minutes before being carried off with cruciate ligament damage.

The player, brought to Scotland by Vladimir Romanov as part of his takeover of Hearts in September 2006 on loan from FK Kaunas, spent a short stint with Viking Stavanger in Norway in February 2008 before heading to Ibrox in a 1 million deal almost two years ago.

The 31-year-old's career in Govan, though, appeared to be in the balance when he was sent to Ashton Gate for a year last summer after a limited number of appearances.

It remains to be seen whether Rangers will nurse him back to match fitness simply to sell him or if he has a genuine future with the Scottish champions.

The club's financial problems and the possible sale of star striker Kris Boyd, currently the subject of much transfer speculation, may open the door for the former Hearts star.

Velicka's last outing for the Light Blues was as a substitute in August's pre-season defeat at Portsmouth.

He also made appearances from the bench on the summer tour of Germany against FC Nurnberg and SC Wiedenbruck, scoring against the latter.

He had enjoyed a fine end to the previous season, netting crucial goals in four consecutive games and helping Rangers win the Clydesdale Bank Premier League, their first Scottish title for four years. He has flown back to his homeland on holiday, having spent months working on his recovery.