Rangers striker Fashion Sakala has been left out of the squad for the Europa League playoff against Alashkert – after the Zambian striker appeared to miss training ahead of tonight’s first leg at Ibrox.
Sakala was conspicuous by his absence from the official training gallery before he was omitted from the club’s player list published on UEFA‘s website ahead of tonight’s game.
The summer signing featured in the previous European fixture against Malmo but his omission from the squad completely comes as a surprise.
That will rule him out of both ties against Alashkert, raising fears over the striker’s fitness with a vital Old Firm clash also on the horizon for Steven Gerrard’s side.
Gerrard added goalkeeper Jon McLaughlin to his squad but has also removed Jake Hastie and Nnamdi Ofoborh, as the Gers look to reach the group stages for the third successive year.
The Light Blues have reached the last 16 in each of the last two seasons and, after the disappointment of losing to Malmo in the Champions League, will be looking to reach the same stage again this season.
Sakala has previously picked up an injury but had since recovered, and it is unclear what has caused his latest absence for Rangers.
He wasn’t involved whatsoever in the League Cup clash with Dunfermline as the Gers ran out 5-0 winners to seal their place in the quarter-finals, with his last appearance coming in the second leg of the Champions League defeat by Malmo.
Rangers fans will be hoping Sakala’s absence isn’t a lengthy one with fellow summer signing Nnamdi Ofoborh sidelined indefinitely after a heart issue was discovered by the Gers’ medical staff.
After impressing in his early performances, fans were hoping to see much more of Sakala but it seems they might have to be patient in the coming weeks.
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