De Boer facing further surgery
Thursday, November 6, 2003
Article summary
Rangers FC have confirmed that Ronald de Boer is unlikely to return for their final two Group E matches.
Article body
Must-win games
The Glasgow side, who lost 3-0 at English champions Manchester United FC on Tuesday, hoped De Boer would recover from a knee injury in time for the must-win games against VfB Stuttgart on 26 November and Panathinaikos FC on 9 December.
Surgery imminent?
The 33-year-old will instead fly to the Netherlands to see a specialist for the results of scans. De Boer has not played in Group E, having picked up the injury in a league match at Dundee United FC in August. The Dutchman fears he is likely to need more surgery, saying: "It is my feeling that it will require an operation because when I move, it causes pain."
Rangers in third
Rangers are also without German midfield player Christian Nerlinger for the next eight weeks due to a torn calf muscle. Stuttgart and United lead the group with nine points, while Rangers are third with four.