Webster loan is set for clearance

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Rangers will be able to field Andy Webster despite a complaint from Hearts about the player's eligibility, BBC Scotland understands.

The Scotland defender, who joined on a loan deal from Wigan, has had his case referred to world football's governing body, Fifa.

But initial indications from Fifa are that there is no issue with Webster turning out for his new club.

The matter is set to be discussed at an Scottish FA board meeting on Monday.

Wigan signed Webster after exploiting a new Fifa ruling to free himself from his contract, but he remains registered with Hearts at the Scottish FA.

Rangers manager Walter Smith said: We are trying to get things finalised with Andy and the sooner that happens the better.

"I know he is injured just now and cannot paly, but it will be good for everyone concerned when this is out of the way.

"It's been dragging on and we just want a solution so we can get on with things."

The SFA had told BBC Sport: "The whole issue is now with Fifa. They will decide what happens next."

Hearts had contested Webster's right to move to Wigan and cut short his four-year contract by a year.

Fifa allowed him to sign for Wigan pending a ruling on a compensation fee to the Edinburgh club.

Webster has failed to command a regular first-team place with the Premiership club, leading to his six-month loan to Rangers.

In a statement, Fifa said: "We can confirm that we have been contacted by the Scottish FA regarding the possibility of registering player Andrew Webster for club Glasgow Rangers.

"As we are currently in the process of discussing all the information relevant to the matter with the Scottish FA, we are not in a position to further comment on this issue until our colleagues from the Players' Status Department have had the chance to analyse all the relevant information and provided their feedback to the Scottish FA."

Webster was injured in his first training session with Rangers last week and will be out of action for about six weeks.