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Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Gabriel McKay

Jermain Defoe gives Rangers a Champions League injury sweat as veteran striker adds to growing casualty list

Rangers are facing a striker shortage for the Champions League qualifiers as Jermain Defoe limped off injured against Arsenal.

Having secured the Premiership title, the Ibrox club enter the third round of qualification as they look to make it to the lucrative group stage.

They'll face the first of two potential ties next month but Steven Gerrard could face a potential headache over who to pick up-front after Defoe exited with what looked like a muscular injury.

The veteran pulled up against Arsenal and was immediately taken off, with Scott Wright coming on to replace him.

That saw Kemar Roofe move into the middle but the Englishman is suspended for the Champions League after his horror tackle on Slavia Prague goalkeeper Ondrej Kolar.

Alfredo Morelos is yet to return from Colombia after the Copa America, while Fashion Sakala only met his team-mates his week after completing a 10 day quarantine after joining from Oostende.

There are other injury issues in attacking areas with Ryan Kent coming into pre-season carrying a knock.

The winger played against Tranmere but was not in the squad to face Arsenal while Joe Aribo, who has also been battling injury, didn't feature either.

Gerrard does have options such as Cedric Itten and Wright, but the Rangers boss will hope to have all of his strikers fit and firing in the first and second weeks of August.

Do you want an exclusive pre-season Rangers preview - both in your inbox and through your letterbox? Head over here to find out more and secure your copy.

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