Derby blow for Novo

Rangers boss Walter Smith has revealed Nacho Novo is virtually certain to miss the Old Firm derby on Sunday week.

Novo hobbled out of Saturday’s 2-0 Clydesdale Bank Premier League win against Dundee United with an ankle injury, which has swelled up badly.

The Spaniard requires a scan to determine the extent of the damage but must wait for the swelling to recede before that can take place.

Nevertheless, Smith has predicted an absence of at least three weeks, meaning the earliest Novo would be available would be the game against Kilmarnock on February 21.

Smith told his club’s official website, www.rangers.co.uk: “The ankle was quite badly sprained so we will need to wait for the swelling to go down before he is able to have it scanned.

“The first indications were that there was nothing broken but we will have to wait for things to settle down before we know how serious it is.

“But I would expect it to be three weeks before he is back playing again.”

Novo initially hurt himself in a first-half challenge with United’s Danny Grainger on Saturday.

He played on until just before half-time but another knock forced him from the field.

Meanwhile, fit-again Maurice Edu was in full training today and will feature at some point in Wednesday’s glamour friendly with AC Milan.

Edu has made only two appearances since his summer move from Toronto FC, the last coming at the end of October.