The 25-year-old was initially told to aim for pre-season training when he suffered severe knee ligament damage in a collision during Gers' Champions League clash in Stuttgart last November.

But after a stint of intense rehabilitation in his native United States, the former PSV Eindhoven and Manchester City attacker believes a comeback this term cannot be ruled out.

"It's only been three and a half months and the injury's supposed to be six months, so I'm definitely ahead of schedule," Beasley told Rangers TV.

"I'm not going to rush anything - I'm going to take it day by day.

"If I play by the end of the season, great, if I don't it will be a disappointment because I want to contribute to the team.

"If I'm able to play at the end of the season, late April, early May, that's fantastic. I'm definitely shooting for that because I've been out for so long, and I want to play."

Following surgery in December, the American was not able to walk at all for five weeks, but he then joined a personal trainer in Delaware for two sessions of rehab a day which appear to have paid dividends.

Beasley admits his attempt to regain fitness "wasn't a holiday", but is confident that all his hard work will yield long-term benefits.

"It was my first real injury, so it was a little bit rough trying to get my head around it," he added.

"But everything happens for a reason, and in the end I think the injury will help me to become a better player and become stronger."

Now Beasley is happy to be back in Glasgow and to be involved with the squad as they seek to claim the domestic treble.

"It's good to be back, good to see the boys and the coaching staff," he said.

"It's been a long haul now, about three and a half months that I've been away, so it feels good being back."