Michael Beale has revealed the hamstring injury suffered by Ridvan Yilmaz was "as bad as it could be".
The Ibrox boss admitted the Turkish full-back still faces another five weeks on the sideline at least as he continues his rehab.
Yilmaz has been out since the 4-1 win over Aberdeen in October - and with Borna Barisic on international duty, Adam Devine has deputised at left-back.
Barisic is still in Qatar with Croatia at the World Cup where he will compete in the third place match on Saturday.
And Yilmaz won't be ready for a return for another month in a best-case scenario, according to Beale.
The Ibrox boss explained: "It was a very, very bad hamstring. As bad as it could be. It was diagnosed at 12 weeks so we are six or seven into that, so that gives you a bit of a timeline into it - if it goes perfect.
"It's not ideal - Borna goes away and gets to a World Cup semi-final and well done to him and Croatia.
"(Josip) Juranovic as well and I think that's great for Scottish football to have two players involved at that level of the World Cup but that gives an opportunity to young Adam and I thought he took it tonight.
"Hopefully Borna will be back in the coming games."
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