Smith fears long Novo absence

Rangers manager Walter Smith fears Nacho Novo's shoulder injury could sideline him for months rather than weeks.

The striker dislocated his shoulder in training on Friday and was immediately withdrawn from the squad that lost 2-0 to Portsmouth yesterday.

The Spaniard is already expected to miss the Clydesdale Bank Premier league opener against Falkirk next Saturday but Smith is bracing himself for a much longer lay-off.

He said: 'It's the second time Nacho's shoulder has come out and what happens next depends on what the specialist says on Wednesday.

'The worst case scenario is that he could be out for a few months.'