Rangers have been named as one of the reported suitors of in-demand Burnley defender Hjalmar Ekdal – hours after Ibrox supremo Patrick Stewart warned against "short term fixes."

The 26-year-old has been beset by injuries during his time at Turf Moor and the Sweden defender is now available for loan. Expressen claim Rangers are among nine suitors, with Middlesbrough also namechecked with interest from Italy emerging in the towering defender. Ekdal is looking for a fresh start and will be allowed to leave Burnley on loan this month. Stewart insists it cannot only be short term fixes at Ibrox.

The Rangers chief said: “There have been some exceptions but if you look at the January window generally it isn't particularly fruitful. Most clubs do not want to sell their best players. We have no intention of selling the players performing on the park at the moment and why would we expect any other club that's challenging for trophies to do so? It’s a very low likelihood that top quality players are going to be on the market. Even if we can secure a player that fits the profile, bringing them in in January means there's no time to bed them in.

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“All of that said, there is still a benefit to the January window so don't get me wrong I'm not saying it's a complete dead loss. I think there are a couple of scenarios where it can be really effective, such as when a club has suffered injuries such as we have - particularly a centre-back - it is an opportunity to make a reactive signing. This is a position we've been looking at since December and so we have been active in discussions. But we're going to be really disciplined in our approach and we will walk away from a deal if it's not right.

“And that's particularly so because the position we find ourselves in at centre-back is because of injuries, and players are going to start returning. So during the window we've obviously got some injuries at centre-back but there are timescales for Balogun and Souttar coming back.

“We've got Tav coming back at right-back, Jack Butland obviously between the sticks. So with players coming back we don't want to create issues where we sign short-term fixes and then suddenly there's blocks and we've got too many players and that you know creates its other challenges. We are looking at this but we're going to use our money wisely. Injuries have created challenges but they're returning and that will bolster the squad without us having to panic buy. What we want to avoid is any panic buying.”