Rangers are set to do battle with a depleted Royal Antwerp in Thursday night's Europa League last 32 showdown.
Dieumerci Mbokani, Faris Haroun, Alexis De Sart and Jean Butez have all been ruled out for the opening leg in Belgium at least - with the latter two already sidelined for the return leg at Ibrox.
Birger Verstraete and Dylan Batubinsika are also doubtful for Thursday night while controversial striker Didier Lamkel Ze will be suspended.
It all makes for an even more intriguing contest as experienced head Franky Vercauteren looks to continue his fine start since taking the reins in the New Year.
But what could the injuries mean for Steven Gerrard's side who are hoping to match and possibly better last season's round of 16 showing with an undefeated European record still intact?
Here's the lowdown on Antwerp's injury crisis.
Experienced heads sidelined
Two of the names on the injury list - Mbokani and Haroun - are 35 years old and it could be the latter Antwerp miss the most.
Central midfielder Haroun belies his age with his contributions to the team, missing just three minutes of the wildly successful group stage campaign.
He went down with a calf injury this time last month however and Vercauteren hasn't been able to count on a reliable midfield general, often the man with the captain's armband, for much of his time at the Flemish club.
Nor has he seen much of former Norwich and Hull forward Mbokani, who has managed one match against KAA Gent since the veteran coach's arrival in early January.
He set up the winner against Spurs in the group stage of the competition and with Ze also out that experience up front could be a big miss in a massive European tie.
Tactical shift
With such a volume of absences, could Vercauteren tinker with his tactical outlook?
He likes to set his side up with a high press that former Ibrox striker Kevin Muscat warned of this week.
The manager may be wary of adding to that list, particularly in midfield although the main playmaking spark plugs in Lior Refaelov and Pieter Gerkens are very much available.
The latter star can operate out wide, in midfield or as a second striker and given Vercauteren's dearth of frontmen he may choose to play the Israeli high up the park.
Ibrox linchpin Ryan Jack will likely need to be on his game to keep Refaelov quiet.
Ze misses out
The main story of Antwerp's season has been that of wantaway striker Lamkel Ze, who will be missing through suspension for the first leg.
He even turned up to training in the deep purple of rivals Anderlecht as he hoped to force a move through that never materialised.
To his credit, it hasn't led to a dip in performances on the pitch after being reinstated by the new boss - and that's why his suspension is such a big blow.
With five goals in eight appearances since he was brought out of the cold in a cup tie against lower league La Louvriere the Cameroon cap has suddenly become a massive player under Vercauteren.
It's true that Connor Goldson and company may face an entirely different Antwerp attack in the second leg when Ze returns from suspension with Uruguayan forward Felipe Avenatti expected to lead the line on Thursday night.
Smoke and mirrors
Vercauteren's weary claim of a squad ravaged by injury doesn't quite stand up however when a few names are considered.
Cologne loanee Verstraete has made only three starts for the club since November while midfielder De Sart has mustered just six appearances all season.
French goalkeeper Butez is a long-term absentee with an ankle injury, and although he was the club's first-choice at the point he was sidelined, Iranian deputy Alireza Beiranvand stepped in at the New Year and has already mustered one more clean sheet than the man he replaced.
And the final doubtful player, Dylan Batubinsika, is a typical starter but the manager still has dependable trio Abdoulaye Seck, Ritchie De Laet and Jeremy Gelin available to slot into his preferred back three.
There are a few names Antwerp would have loved to play on Thursday night, and they might struggle for goals in the first leg particularly with two big name strikers out.
But it doesn't exactly add up to a decimated squad and Rangers have to be on their guard.
