Rangers defender Madjid Bougherra has been ruled out for two to three weeks with a hamstring injury, further limiting manager Walter Smith's defensive options.
Bougherra is set to miss matches with Dundee United, St Johnstone and Hamilton with the problem suffered in the Co-operative Insurance Cup final win over Celtic.
Bougherra said in the Glasgow Evening Times: ''I have had a scan and I've been told I will be out for a couple of weeks. I hope to be back for the last couple of games before the split.
''It is a little worse than I feared. I had hoped to play for Algeria against Morocco, but it just wasn't possible.
''Now I just have to make sure I get over the injury and come back okay for the final games of the season.''
With Kyle Bartley, the on-loan Arsenal defender, out for the remainder of the season with a knee injury and Kirk Broadfoot returning to fitness after a length absence, Smith is poised to turn to Steven Whittaker to play in central defence alongside David Weir.
