Rangers striker Nikica Jelavic. Pic: ©SNS Group
Ally McCoist says he is "hopeful" Nikica Jelavic won't leave Rangers during the January transfer window.
The Croatian striker was subject to a failed bid from West Ham United earlier in the week.
Speculation has continued over his future in Scotland, with persistent rumours further bids could be received before Tuesday.
While conceding anything could change between now and January 31, McCoist said he was holding out hope his top goalscorer would remain at Ibrox for the remainder of the season.
"I'm very hopeful," said the Rangers manager. "I'm not sure confidence is the right word because, as we know, anything can happen in the transfer window.
"But I'm very hopeful that he will still be a Rangers player at 11pm on Tuesday.
"Time will tell. I would obviously be far happier going into the run-in with Nikica involved but I'm sensible enough to know that circumstances can change."
Jelavic will miss Rangers' SPL match with Hibernian on Saturday because of an illness which has kept him out of training with the squad for the past two days.
"I believe there was a bid from West Ham on Wednesday that was rejected," said McCoist.
"But I can absolutely assure you that the doctor has been to see him and he is not well enough to play and that's a fact.
"I just spoke to the doctor and he won't be available tomorrow.
"He has a bug, a bit of sickness. The doctor went to see him on Wednesday and he wasn't well, and went to see him again this morning.
"I believe the family has had it as well and one or two of our younger players went down with it.
"He won't play tomorrow for that reason."
McCoist is also continuing his search to bring in a new striker, although it is not clear whether the manager is keeping his options open in the event Jelavic leaves.
Polish striker Pawel Brozek and Rapid Vienna forward Hamdi Salihi are two players identified as possible signings but McCoist says no moves have been made.
"I can't forecast what's going to happen," he said. "I don't have a crystal ball.
"What I can guarantee is that we certainly have people in mind who we would like to bring in."
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