MARK WARBURTON will give defender Oguchi Onyewu a chance to win a Rangers deal after he joined the Light Blues squad for training in Charleston.

And the Ibrox boss is closing in on his eighth signing of the summer as MK Dons defender Lee Hodson looks to clinch a return north of the border.

The Northern Irishman spent the second half of last season on loan at Kilmarnock and was part of Michael O’Neill’s squad for the European Championships in France.

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Hodson won’t join up with the Gers in South Carolina in the coming days but he is now set to put pen-to-paper on a deal to become Warburton’s latest recruit.Glasgow Times: Kilmarnock new boy Lee Hodson has been impressed by what he has seen at the club

The Englishman put his squad through their paces for the first time in the States on Tuesday morning and Onyewu joined the Light Blues as he looks to catch the eye.

The 34-year-old was last on the books of Charlton but has turned out for the likes of Newcastle and Sporting Lisbon in a career that saw him become a key player for the American national side.

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And Warburton is keen to add another stopper to his squad to provide competition with Clint Hill, Danny Wilson and Rob Kiernan at the heart of his defence.

Warburton said: “Oguchi is someone we have been told about by Niko Kranjcar's agent. He is coming down to train with us and we will see how he gets on. This is the first time I have seen him.

“He will need the first couple of days to acclimatise in terms of the pace of the session and getting to know the boys.

"We are having a look at him physically in terms of his shape and dealing with the technical level. We will see how he gets on.Glasgow Times: Rangers manager Mark Warburton says the number of fixtures in such a short period of time is far from ideal

"I don't know what he's been doing. It's just one that Niko's agent mentioned to us as one to look at.

“He's very promising. He's suffered some injuries in the past and maybe hasn't realised his potential yet.

“He's certainly one to look at now he's more mature. We will see how he gets on.

"He looks like an athlete. I wouldn't mind a build like that. It's just his first day and it was tough and the session was a bit disjointed but he will be fine.

"He's got a great pedigree. It's a position we are looking to strengthen.

“I will look at him for ten days and then say 'thanks very much' and see what happens. If he does well then great, fantastic.

"If you have three centre halves then you're vulnerable to injury or suspension. We need a fourth one definitely.

"We are looking for another two players including another striker.”