Kyle Lafferty could be out of action for up to five weeks after picking up a hamstring injury which required him to be carried off early in Monday's 3-0 win over Motherwell. Rangers manager Ally McCoist also revealed that Nikica Jelavic is also struggling with injury after he missed the game due to a groin problem. Goals from David Healy - making his first SPL start of the season - and Sone Aluko and an own-goal from Stephen Craigan secured the three pointsy but McCoist admits his squad's dwindling numbers are a concern, with Kirk Broadfoot also unavailable for the visit of the Steelmen. He said: "Nikica didn't make it with a groin strain, he attempted to train yesterday and had a go this morning but he wasn't fit enough to play or be involved. The injury to Lafferty is a big, big blow for us. Make no mistake about it. I don't know the full extent of the injury but it looks like he has pulled his hamstring and my guess would be four or five weeks. Hopefully Nikica's is more short term."
Jelavic has been the subject of intense speculation over his future and has been tipped for a switch to the English Premier League. But McCoist claims John Fleck - who came off the bench to replace Lafferty - is the only player to attract concrete interest from other clubs so far, although a loan move now appears unlikely to happen. The Rangers manager said: "The only enquiries we have had are for John Fleck for loan, which would probably be put on the back-burner now. I'll look at the whole thing again tomorrow morning and reassess the injuries but I would have to say it would be doubtful he would be going anywhere." McCoist will now turn his thoughts to January transfer targets as he prepares to hold talks with owner Craig Whyte. e said: "I'll sit down with Craig tonight or tomorrow and have a wee chat and see where we are. We look as though we need strengthening in forward areas. The injuries to Jelavic, Lafferty and long term to Steven Naismith certainly hasn't done anything to change my opinion. As happy as we were with the performance today, we know we need bodies in. At this moment, we've got one centre-forward. I have several names of targets in mind, it is not about just adding bodies to the squad"
Former Rangers striker Nacho Novo, who now plays for Sporting Gijon, has been training with his old club over the festive period while back in Scotland. Asked if he could be an option for a new deal, McCoist said: "Nacho was back home for Christmas and new year and phoned us up and asked to come in and do a bit of training. We obviously welcomed him with open arms and the wee man looked great. He was the same wee Nacho that the Rangers supporters loved for many years here and he is a player that we know has been over the course and distance here. But, at this moment in time, I can't tell you anything other than he was looking good. I can't say we are interested and I can't rule out interest in any other player either." With so many injury problems to Rangers' attacking options, Motherwell manager Stuart McCall felt his side squandered a great opportunity at Ibrox. He said: "It was hugely disappointing. It's probably the worst I've felt after a Rangers game and we've been beat heavier than this. At Fir Park, they had their defensive problems but still had their attacking prowess in Jelavic, Naismith and Lafferty. They didn't have that today so I don't think we will get a better chance, or have had a better chance, of taking something from the game."
Source: FOOTYMAD
