Rangers manager Walter Smith will not sign another striker this month despite losing £4million purchase Nikica Jelavic for the Champions League campaign.
Jelavic, who arrived at Ibrox on Friday morning after being granted a work permit, is now ineligible for the tournament because Rapid Vienna reached the Europa League group stages with a 3-2 victory at Aston Villa. The Croatian, who played in earlier rounds but refused to turn out in the Austrian club's first leg against Villa, was baffled by the UEFA ruling, which deprives him of tests against Manchester United, Valencia and Bursaspor.
"It is a bit of a blow for us, I must say," Smith said. "Not just in terms of losing someone that we hope will do well for us in terms of goals and all-round play, but losing another jersey."
He added: "We only have 18 lads who have played regularly in the first team, so to lose him is a blow - and Andy Webster's ongoing injury situation as well. That cuts our squad down. We've got a decent squad but if we fall foul of injury, it may be a bit of a struggle for us."
However, Smith will focus on other areas of the team if he has the funds to add to his squad before Tuesday night's deadline.
James Beattie has also strengthened the club's strike options this month while both Steven Naismith and Kyle Lafferty are keen to play in forward positions alongside Kenny Miller, who was this week handed a second contract extension offer.
"I don't need someone in that position, we have plenty of cover for the forward position," the former Scotland manager said.
"If we have to move someone up front, then we will obviously weaken another area in terms of numbers. That could be a big problem for us.
"If you look at Scottish teams going out, that's six extra games to play in the first half of the season to any of our opposition. That's a lot of games and a lot of midweeks that other teams don't have to play. I would much prefer to have it than not have it, it's not a complaint, but it will stretch us to our limit."
Source: PA
