Lafferty injury blow for Gers

18 July 2011 15:30
Rangers striker Kyle Lafferty is expected to miss the first month of the season after being told he needs surgery to cure a hernia problem.[LNB] Lafferty is set to go under the knife to cure the problem which resulted in his early return from the club's pre-season training camp in Germany last week.[LNB]The Northern Irishman has since consulted with a specialist and will have an operation early next week.[LNB]The Scottish champions begin their defence of the Scottish Premier League title against Hearts on Saturday but Lafferty could be out of action until the end of August.[LNB]Manager Ally McCoist told the club's website: "Kyle is going for an operation for a hernia problem which will keep him out for three to four weeks.[LNB]"He will have the surgery next Tuesday down south and we hope everything goes well."[LNB]Meanwhile, Sasa Papac has not travelled with the rest of the squad for Tuesday night's friendly in Blackpool because of a hamstring problem but should be fit for the weekend.[LNB]Madjid Bougherra is back after a hamstring injury and Maurice Edu is also set to feature after rejoining the squad at the weekend, following his involvement with the United States national team in the Gold Cup.[LNB]McCoist added: "Sasa Papac is not travelling with us to Blackpool as he has a tight hamstring but the good news is that Madjid Bougherra and Mo Edu are both back in.[LNB]"Maurice came back in on Sunday and trained with us today and will travel with us."

Source: Team_Talk