Attacker set to return to Rangers, but Gerrard is surely going to offload him

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Joe Dodoo has posted a heartfelt message to Blackpool fans after his season-long loan at Bloomfield Road, suggesting that he is set to return to Rangers – and that leaves Steven Gerrard with a decision.

The 23-year-old was sent on loan by Gerrard last summer, after just 27 appearances for the Gers since Mark Warburton landed the youngster from Leicester City in 2016.

A previous loan spell at Charlton Athletic saw him manage just eight appearances, and the England Under-18 international was hardly the regular he had hoped to be in the orange of Blackpool.

He played just 25 games all season, 18 of which came in the league – scoring six goals. Dodoo posted on Twitter after playing his last match for the Tangerines, wishing Blackpool fans well and suggesting he is returning to Rangers.

Dodoo has a contract at Ibrox until the summer of 2020, meaning he has 12 months left on his current deal. It leaves manager Steven Gerrard with a decision to make – but it is likely to be an easy one.

Rangers have Alfredo Morelos, Jermain Defoe and Kyle Lafferty up front and although the latter could leave, Gerrard is expected to bring a new striker in. He has been linked with Croatian target man Mirko Maric.

Out wide, where Dodoo can also play, Rangers have numbers in abundance. The Liverpool legend has confirmed the pre-contract signings of Jordan Jones and Jake Hastie, while Ryan Kent could still sign permanently.

Along with those three, Jamie Murphy, Eros Grezda, Daniel Candeias and Glenn Middleton will also be looking to play. It leaves Dodoo with little-to-no chance, and a permanent exit is surely on the cards.