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Suspension threat set to loom over two Rangers stars in Dortmund first leg

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Rangers stars Alfredo Morelos and Fashion Sakala are both one booking away from suspension coming into Thursday’s Europa League knockout round play-off first leg against Borussia Dortmund.

The Gers progressed to this stage of the competition by finishing runners-up to Lyon in Group A.

Rangers FC v Sparta Praha: Group A - UEFA Europa League
Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images

Meanwhile, Dortmund have dropped down from the Champions League, after coming third in Group C behind Ajax and Sporting Lisbon.

Gio van Bronckhorst is yet to give a fitness update, but it’s likely that most of the first-team squad will be available.

Filip Helander, Cedric Itten and Ianis Hagi (injured) are all ineligible, though, and Leon Balogun is a doubt after picking up a muscle injury against Hibernian last week.

Rangers forwards Morelos and Sakala on verge of bans

No players will miss out due to suspension, but two Gers are a booking away from a one-match ban, putting them in danger of missing the second leg.

Morelos and Sakala picked up two yellow cards apiece during the group stages and as cautions aren’t wiped until after the quarter-finals [UEFA], they’ll need to tread carefully.

Rangers FC v Brondby IF: Group A - UEFA Europa League
Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images

This is too big a game to be cautious with selection, so Morelos will almost certainly still lead the line after being rested for the trip to Annan at the weekend.

Sakala scored in that game but may have to settle for a place on the bench with Ryan Kent likely to return to the starting XI.

The only other eligible Rangers players to have picked up a booking in the Europa League this season are Connor Goldson, Borna Barisic, Joe Aribo and John Lundstram, all of whom are two yellows away from a ban.

Meanwhile, one Dortmund star is reportedly a ‘significant doubt’ for the match, while another is fit to return to action.