Source: Team_Talk
Gers suffer Lafferty setback
Rangers striker Kyle Lafferty will miss the start of the season after being troubled by a groin problem.[LNB] Ibrox manager Ally McCoist revealed the Northern Ireland international would be leaving the club's German training camp early to see a specialist.[LNB]It is unclear how long Lafferty will be out for but Rangers expect him to miss a "number of weeks".[LNB]McCoist told the club's official website: "It was a little bit disturbing last night when we learned that Kyle has a problem with his groin.[LNB]"The doctors and the physios had a look at him and decided it was a niggle that wasn't going to clear up over here.[LNB]"So we have decided to send Kyle home tomorrow and he is down to see a specialist on Tuesday to try to get to the bottom of the problem.[LNB]"We will know better when we get back from Germany but it is a little concerning."[LNB]The injury is a major blow as Lafferty, 23, finished last season on top form for the second year running, hitting a hat-trick in the title-clinching victory at Kilmarnock.[LNB]McCoist has so far drawn a blank in his search to bring in a striker with a bid for Dundee United's David Goodwillie turned down, although David Healy recently signed a new contract.[LNB]The Rangers manager said of Lafferty: "It's a big disappointment for him and it's a big disappointment for us because he and Nikica (Jelavic) finished the season so well and we were hopeful they would start the season in fine form.[LNB]"However, that does not look like the case with Kyle having this niggle."[LNB]Meanwhile, McCoist admitted he needed reinforcements after his side's 3-0 defeat by Bochum - the second loss of their German tour without scoring.[LNB]"I don't like losing any game and the disappointing thing was the standard of goal that we lost," said McCoist, who again started with his only summer signing, Juan Manuel Ortiz.[LNB]"In terms of the overall game I felt we were fine for 60 minutes or so. We had a chance to go one up through Nikica but the goalkeeper made a good save and then we lost a goal straight away.[LNB]"It's another 90 minutes for the boys and we are only 12 days into our pre-season.[LNB]"We definitely need to get one or two fresh faces in to help the lads and we will do that.[LNB]"So it was disappointing to lose but we are certainly not too downbeat."[LNB]As well as Lafferty, McCoist was without Madjid Bougherra and David Healy, with the latter suffering a minor ankle injury.[LNB]McCoist would not take a chance on Bougherra, whose future remains the subject of speculation as he enters the final year of his contract.[LNB]McCoist said: "He was feeling his hamstring a little bit at training this morning so we decided not to risk him.[LNB]"The important thing is to have Madjid fit and ready for when we start our league campaign.[LNB]"We have not had an offer for him. He is a Rangers player and the one thing about Madjid is that he gives his all in every game, and I have no doubts that he will do that again.[LNB]"We are looking to strengthen a few areas and the defence is one of them."
