Rangers’ opponents Royal Antwerp have been dealt another big blow ahead of the Europa League Round of 32 first leg clash between the sides on Thursday night, with centre-back Dylan Batubinsika unavailable.
The hosts were already missing a number of first-team players for the match.
In-form striker Didier Lamkel Zé is suspended, while fellow forward Dieumerci Mbokani is injured.
Alexis De Sart, Jean Butez and Faris Haroun are all also currently sidelined.
Antwerp boss Franky Vercauteren said earlier in the week that he was hopeful both Batubinsika and midfielder Birger Verstraete would be ready to play amid fitness concerns of their own [Daily Record].
However, when the home side released their squad list for the first leg, only Verstraete’s name featured.
It looks as though Batubinsika lost the race to return to full fitness ahead of the game, with his absence set to weaken Antwerp’s defence.
The 24-year-old former France youth international has made 23 appearances this season at centre-back, starting 16 Belgian Pro League matches and three Europa League fixtures.
Maxime Le Marchand, who signed on loan from Fulham on deadline day, has been included in the squad and could make just his third appearance for The Great Old.
Antwerp are clearly set to be considerably understrength for at least the first meeting between the two sides but although Rangers were already entering the tie as favourites, Steven Gerrard’s players cannot afford to get complacent.
Ahead of the game, check out our Gers Predicted XI and our Preview Video over on the Rangers News YouTube channel.
