Injury sidelines Kyle Lafferty

RANGERS striker Kyle Lafferty will miss the start of the season after being troubled by a groin problem.

Manager Ally McCoist revealed the Northern Ireland international would be leaving the club's German training camp early to see a specialist. It is unclear how long Lafferty will be out for but Rangers expect him to miss a "number of weeks". Speaking after his side's 3-0 defeat by Bundesliga 2 side VfL Bochum, McCoist said: "It was a little bit disturbing when we learned that Kyle has a problem with his groin. The doctors and the physios had a look at him and decided it was a niggle that wasn't going to clear up over here.

"So we have decided to send Kyle home and he is down to see a specialist on Tuesday to try to get to the bottom of the problem. We will know better when we get back from Germany but it is a little concerning."

The injury is a major blow as Lafferty, 23, finished last season on top form for the second year running, hitting a hat-trick in the title-clinching victory at Kilmarnock.

The Rangers manager said of Lafferty: "It's a big disappointment for him and for us because he and Nikica (Jelavic] finished the season so well and we were hopeful they would start the season in fine form. However, that does not look like the case with Kyle having this niggle."

Meanwhile, McCoist admitted he needed reinforcements after his side's defeat by Bochum - the second loss of their German tour without scoring. "I don't like losing any game and the disappointing thing was the standard of goal that we lost," said McCoist, who again started with his only summer signing, Juan Manuel Ortiz.

"In terms of the overall game I felt we were fine for 60 minutes or so. We had a chance to go one up through Nikica but the goalkeeper made a good save and then we lost a goal straight away. It's another 90 minutes for the boys and we are only 12 days into our pre-season.

"We definitely need to get one or two fresh faces in to help the lads and we will do that. So it was disappointing to lose but we are certainly not too downbeat."

As well as Lafferty, McCoist was without Madjid Bougherra and David Healy, with the latter suffering a minor ankle injury. McCoist would not take a chance on Bougherra, whose future remains the subject of speculation as he enters the final year of his contract. McCoist said: "He was feeling his hamstring a little bit at training so we decided not to risk him. The important thing is to have Madjid fit and ready for when we start our league campaign. We have not had an offer for him. He is a Rangers player and the one thing about Madjid is that he gives his all in every game, and I have no doubts that he will do that again. We are looking to strengthen a few areas and the defence is one of them."Rangers competed well in the first half following their 1-0 defeat by minnows Sportfreunde Lotte on Thursday, but they were exposed in defence after the interval, conceding three times. McCoist, who has been trying to secure the return of Carlos Cuellar from Aston Villa to strengthen his defence, watched as a back four of Steven Whittaker, Kirk Broadfoot, the out-of-contract David Weir and Sasa Papac struggled against the German second-tier outfit. The home side, who beat Aberdeen 2-1 in midweek, took the lead in the 64th minute when substitute Daniel Ginczek slotted past Alexander following Bjorn Kopplin's low cross.

Whittaker shot straight at the keeper after a good run but Rangers fell further behind with 16 minutes remaining when Mirkan Aydin broke clear and slotted home.

Oguzhan Kefkir then hit Alexander's post before Anthar Yahia emphatically netted a rebound after the Rangers keeper had saved from Aydin in the 81st minute.

Rangers now have an even more difficult task when they face Champions League qualifiers Bayer Leverkusen on Wednesday.