Ferguson struggled with injury last season

Rangers captain Barry Ferguson is set to be out of action for three to four months due to an ankle injury.

The 30-year-old will not travel with the squad for their pre-season tour of the Netherlands and Germany.

During his absence, Rangers will face Champions League qualifiers and the start of their SPL league season.

The midfielder, who is also the Scotland skipper, will miss the start of the national team's World Cup qualifying campaign.

Ferguson has struggled with ankle problems over the past three seasons, undergoing surgery to repair ligaments in his right ankle in April 2006.

The former Blackburn player also carried an ankle injury last season as he helped Rangers chase domestic and European honours.

MY SPORT: DEBATE I think the captaincy is largely symbolic these days anyway, but I think Cuellar has earned it in Ferguson's absence TheLostprophet

After seeing a specialist in March, he was given treatment which allowed him to play the vast majority of side's 68 matches

The Ibrox club's first competitive match of the new season will be the first leg of the Champions League second qualifying round clash against either FBK Kaunas or Santa Coloma on Wednesday 30 July.

Rangers kick off their league campaign at Falkirk on Saturday 9 August.