Sporting defender Anderson Polga will miss the second leg of the Portuguese club's UEFA Cup quarter-final with Rangers with a thigh injury.

The Brazilian was forced off during Sporting's 2-0 win over Braga on Sunday and team officials say he will not make a recovery in time for Thursday's clash in Lisbon.

"Polga has probably torn a muscle in his right thigh," Sporting medical director Jose Gomes Pereira said.

"He will undergo tests in the next 48 hours to evaluate the problem and to determine how long he will be out, but he is definitely out of the Rangers game."

The 29-year-old is now likely to be replaced by his compatriot Gladstone in the centre of defence alongside Tonel.

The tie is finely poised ahead of the return leg, with the first leg at Ibrox last week having finished goalless.

Mike Hytner / Eurosport