LEE WALLACE has urged Rangers manager Mark Warburton to make Joe Dodoo his next summer signing after revealing he had been impressed with the striker in training at Auchenhowie.

Dodoo, the 21-year-old centre-forward who made his debut for English champions Leicester City last season, has joined up with Warburton’s squad this week.

It is unclear whether the former England youth player, who is set to switch his international allegiances to Ghana, would be brought in on loan or a permanent deal.

The youngster, who scored a hat-trick in a League Cup game against Bury in his first start for Claudio Ranieri’s side last season, has been offered a new contract at the King Power Stadium.

But Wallace, the Rangers captain, believes the six foot tall centre forward would be an invaluable addition to Warburton’s squad in the Ladbrokes Premiership in the 2016/17 campaign.

“It would be nice to have him in,” he said. “He’s been in on trial for a few days and is looking fine. I don’t know what’s happening, but he’s looking bright.

“The same is true of the rest of the lads. We’re all in a good place. We’re training very well and looking forward to pulling the blue jersey on for the first time in a competitive game this season this weekend.”

Warburton has signed Joey Barton, Matt Crooks, Matt Gilks, Clint Hill, Lee Hodson, Niko Kranjcar, Jordan Rossiter and Josh Windass ahead of the new season.

Wallace, the Tynecastle FC manager who was speaking yesterday at the launch of the capital club’s new Kimberley Watson Packaging-sponsored strips, believes a new-found strength in depth will help Rangers in the Premiership.

"We are hugely competitive now,” he said. “That's the benefit of bringing in quality players. Your need to play the best you can is higher than it has ever been.

“Whatever happens the players have full trust in the manager and his plans for the window, whether he brings in a striker, defender or goalie. We have full faith in that and we will see what happens.”

Meanwhile, Wallace has welcomed the news that Warburton and his assistant Davie Weir have this week signed new contracts which tie them to the Ibrox club until 2019.

The left back believes the development has given the Rangers players a huge lift ahead of their opening competitive fixture of the new season – the Betfred Cup match against Motherwell at Fir Park on Saturday.

“Kenny Miller said a few weeks ago the best signing this club could make would be the gaffer and Davie,” he said. “I can only mirror Kenny's comments. It is great for the football club.

“I think the manager was always going to sign. It was just a case of getting bits and pieces sorted. It was never in question.

“As players we are over the moon with that as we have a huge appreciation of the work he is doing and the work he has done. We are certainly going to give our all so he can be a proud man.”