UEFA Champions League Group E/ Vfb Stuttgart v Rangers: VfB Stuttgart, who extended their unbeaten run in the Bundesliga to 13 games and consolidated their league lead with a 3-1 victory over Hanover 96 on Saturday, will be missing central defender Marcelo Bordon.

The Brazilian is recovering from groin surgery and will be out of action until the end of the year.

The surprise Group E leaders, who would make sure of advancing to the knockout stages with a draw, welcome back Croatia midfielder Jurica Vranjes, fit again after nursing a sore thigh muscle.

Portugal defender Fernando Meira, who missed Saturday's game through suspension, is also expected to return to action.

Rangers have been ravaged by injury in recent weeks and their problems increased in Saturday's 3-0 league win over Aberdeen when influential Spanish midfielder Mikel Arteta was ruled out for two weeks with a calf muscle problem.

Captain Craig Moore, Ronald de Boer, Steven Thompson, Christian Nerlinger and Robert Malcolm are also unable to play in a match Rangers must win to keep alive hopes of a place in the last 16 place.

Defender Zurab Zhizanishvili and winger Nuno Capucho will be pressed into action despite struggling with flu at the weekend.

But manager Alex McLeish said: "There is still a lot to play for in the Champions League. Stuttgart and Manchester United are favourites to qualify from the group. But we must remember there is still qualification for the UEFA Cup. "

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

VFB STUTTGART: Hildebrand; Hinkel, Meira, Wenzel, Lahm; Soldo, Vranjes, Heldt, Gleb; Kuranyi, Szabics.

RANGERS: Klos; Ricksen, Berg, Khizanishvili, Ball; Vanoli, Hughes, Emerson; Mols, Arveladze, Lovenkrands.

Referee: M E M Gonzalez (Spain)