In fact, the Ibrox captain insists he will be even better than before when he is finally able to put his injury woes firmly behind him.

The midfielder, 30, underwent ankle surgery in the summer and has spent the months since then gradually rebuilding his fitness.

Ferguson hopes to be back in the Rangers first team in around four weeks and claims to have no concerns about quickly getting back to his best.

"None at all," he said.

"I know I'll be back fitter and stronger so that has never entered my head.

"I've started running now so hopefully I'll be back playing a reserve game in about three weeks and hopefully be in the first team in four or five weeks.

"I'm also hoping to be back for the Scotland friendly in November. But it's just about getting my fitness back now and trying to get back in the first team.

"It's all about trying to get a pre-season in now, as I've not had one yet, and trying to do as much running as I can and then hopefully move onto a game.

"It's tough when you are used to training every day and playing every weekend, so that has been the hardest thing.

"Now that I'm over the injury and doing my rehab and starting get fit, I can see the light at the end of the tunnel."

Ferguson has revealed how the coaching staff - and Ian Durrant in particular - have played their part in keeping up his morale during the last few difficult months.

"Durrant has been giving me a bit of a hard time and that keeps me going," he said.

"It's all part and parcel of being at a club like Rangers, the spirit is great.

"Just now, I'm just looking forward to getting back fit.

"I've not set myself a target for what game I want to be back for. If you do that and don't get there, you are disappointed.

"The main thing for me is to get as fit as I can, get a few reserve games under my belt, and take it from there."

The midfield has been transformed in Ferguson's absence by the arrival of Steven Davis on a permanent deal from Fulham and the capture of Pedro Mendes from Portsmouth.

Those signings came after the shock Champions League defeat to Kaunas and the captain has been impressed by the reaction of the whole team since that disappointing night in Lithuania.

"Apart from the European game, the guys have done a fantastic job and have showed great character in coming back from such a bad defeat in Kaunas," he said.

"The lads been playing great for the last month and hopefully they can keep that up.

"The new players have come in and settled really quickly, which has been a big bonus for us.

"Now we've got a big squad and there is great competition at the club and I'm just looking forward to trying to get back into the team."

Ferguson was speaking at the launch of the Beatson Cancer Pebble Appeal at Garscube Estate, Glasgow.