STEVEN Gerrard revealed new signing Nnamdi Ofoborh’s Rangers career will be put on hold after scans revealed a heart issue.

The 21-year-old midfielder moved to Ibrox from Cherries this summer but a medical “red flag” emerged.

After watching Rangers draw 2-2 with Arsenal in their friendly at Ibrox, Light Blues boss Gerrard told RangersTV: “I don’t think you’ll see him in the short term.

“Unfortunately something has flagged up with his ECG, which is the heart test.

“We’ve got top medical people here at the club now and we check all the players thoroughly from head to toe when they arrive.

“Unfortunately there’s been a bit of a red flag with a heart issue so he’s going to see some specialists in the coming weeks and we need to do more tests before we move forward.

“It’s disappointing and frustrating but we’ll have to manage and cope.

“The important thing is the player’s health, which we’ll obviously focus on first and foremost.

“Of course, it is disappointing and frustrating for the player but I spoke to him, told him to keep smiling and be patient and we will do everything we can to support him, get him in front of the right people and the right support and hopefully he will be back, not too long.”

The news comes just over a month after Denmark midfielder Christian Eriksen suffered a cardiac arrest and collapsed on the pitch during his country’s Euro 2020 opener against Finland.

Ofoborh agreed a pre-contract agreement with Rangers earlier this year with his contract at Cherries running out last month.

Having previously been with Tottenham and Millwall, the midfielder first joined Cherries in 2016 and went on to sign his first professional deal a year later.

Another new contract in 2018 kept Ofoborh at Vitality Stadium until 2021 but he opted to sign for Scottish champions Rangers earlier this year.

Posting on social media ahead of his departure from Vitality Stadium, Ofoborh said: “As this chapter in my life closes, I just want to thank AFC Bournemouth for taking me in at 16 and helping me grow into the player I am today.

“Team-mates who have turned into brothers. I wouldn’t change it for nothing. Thank you.”