Mark Warburton says no need to splash Rangers cash in January

Rangers boss Mark Warburton says he will be in no hurry to enter the transfer market despite the loss of influencial midfielder Niko Kranjcar.

Kranjcar, who is in the best form of his Rangers career following his summer move from New York Cosmos, has been ruled out for six months with a cruciate knee ligament injury suffered in training.

Midfield partner Joey Barton is now training with the U20s after having his club suspension lifted on Wednesday and, despite uncertainty over the former Burnley star's future at Ibrox, Warburton insists the players at his disposal could negate the need for a recruitment drive in January.

Speaking exclusively to Sky Sports News HQ, the former Brentford manager said: "There is a clear six-month rehabilitation Niko will go through now which is frustrating for everyone as he worked so hard to get to the level he is at now.

"He was impacting games and you could see that quality in his performances. We were delighted with him and he was being rewarded for the hard work he was putting in. But the staff here will look after him, he will get the best treatment and we look forward to welcoming him back sooner rather than later."

Warburton refused to be drawn on the Barton saga and was equally non-committal when asked if new faces were required to bolster the squad in the winter window.

"We'll look if possible," he said. "Obviously if it is right to get a suitable loanee in, hopefully from a Premier League club, if it is available to us.

"But if not there's strength in the squad. We have young Jordan Rossiter returning from injury, Matt Crooks getting nearer match fitness now as well so as I say give and take hopefully. We'll miss Niko of course but there is some good young talent coming through the squad."

Rangers take on Ross County live on Sky Sports this Sunday and Warburton expects a tough encounter against a "quality" side in Dingwall.

County earned a point from a goalless draw at Ibrox in September but Warburton is convinced his side have improved since then and are now playing some of their best football of the season.

"Ross County marked the start of the upturn in form we were looking for," he said. "We created a lot of chances that day but didn't get the rewards, unfortunately. We know they are a very good side and some of their results of late haven't reflected the quality of their performance.

"We know the quality they possess within their ranks, we know how well they are managed and there is no doubt it is a tough place to go to. But we are looking forward to it.

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"We are in good form. From that Ross County game we have had one bad half of football - the second half against St Johnstone saw our standards dip - but other than that it's been a very notable progression and we are pleased with that on the back of good win against Kilmarnock and we are looking forward to the weekend."