RANGERS have been handed a UEFA Cup boost with the news that Panathinaikos striker Manucho will not be travelling to Glasgow for Wednesday's first-leg clash.
Record Sport understands the Angolan hitman, on loan at the club from Manchester United, will return to Greece on Thursday after competing in the Africa Cup of Nations.
Spanish defender Josu Sarriegi will also not feature at Ibrox as he is suffering from a broken nose.
Manucho will not be risked for the tie against Walter Smith's men as he has not yet even trained with his new teammates at Panathinaikos.
The 24-year-old signed a three-year deal at Old Trafford from Angolan side Petro Atheltico after impressing on a three-week trial in December but because of work-permit issues in the UK he was immediately sent to the Greek outfit on loan for the rest of the season.
Manucho enhanced his reputation as a rising star in football with a dynamic display of goalscoring in the Africa Cup in Ghana.
He scored the opener in Angola's first game against South Africa last month and struck a further two against Senegal in a 3-1 win.
A goal followed in the 2-1 loss to eventual winners Egypt although his 25-yard effort has been described as the goal of the tournament.
Manucho's absence could be a key factor in Rangers getting a favourable result to take with them to the Apostolis Nikolaidis Stadium in the return leg next week but the Angolan should be available for that encounter.
Panathinaikos top the Greek League by four points from AEK Athens and Jose Peseiro's side won 1-0 at the weekend against Veria FC with a free-kick goal from deadball expert Andreas Ivanschitz.
It was their 19th clean sheet of the season.
Peseiro is also set to rotate his squad and rest regular first-team keeper Mario Galinovic in favour of Pole Arkadiusz Malarz.
Former Hearts star Takis Fyssas is also set to start against Rangers because he has experience of playing at Ibrox.
Panathinaikos hitman Dimitris Salpingidis and captain Yannis Goumas are both nursing knocks but are expected to be fit.
Brazilian midfielder Marcelo Mattos insists the Greeks expect a tough night in Glasgow.
He said: "This is a game against a very strong team who play with strength and the first leg is crucial for us to get a good result."
Former Southampton and Swedish international defender Mikael Nilsson fancies the Greeks chances of setting up a last-16 clash with Germans Werder Bremen especially if they can nick an away goal.
Nilsson said: "The first match is very important but if we can succeed in netting an away goal that would be a good position for us to take back to Greece.
"Rangers will not play defensive football like Veria did against us at the weekend and we will have opportunities to attack them."
