Rangers manager Walter Smith has insisted FIFA's timing could not be any worse as the transfer saga surrounding Daniel Cousin's protracted move to Fulham finally looks set to come to an end.

The 31-year-old striker will learn on Wednesday whether his £3million switch to the Barclays Premier League side will be given the go-ahead - on the same day Rangers prepare to face Panathinaikos in the UEFA Cup.

Rangers and Fulham struck a deal back on January 22 but require special dispensation for the transfer to be completed because Cousin has also played for French side Lens this term and regulations forbid a player from appearing for more than two clubs in one season.

The lengthy wait for a decision has left both teams in limbo, with Rangers reluctant to make use of the Gabon international even though he remains on their books for the time being.

Cousin would have been the ideal replacement for the suspended Jean-Claude Darcheville against Panathinaikos but Smith said the timing of the judgement will probably force him to leave the striker out of his plans in case the move to Fulham is given the green light.

He said: "Even the date in getting a resolution to the problem has been an awkward one.

"From our own point of view, it's rather awkward in the sense that, depending on when it happens tomorrow, it affects his availability for the game tomorrow night. We'll just have to wait and see.

"I have to prepare for the game, which we will do this afternoon and tomorrow, so it makes it an awkward situation as far as we are concerned.

"If it had happened today or on Thursday then we wouldn't have the problems on the day when we are meant to be playing, which is the worst aspect of it.

"If we did choose him and then found out he had been transferred to Fulham, it's a bit unfair to use him in those circumstances.

"We have been thinking of using him over the last few games and we have left him out so it would look as though, at this stage, he will miss the match for that reason."

Darcheville and Cousin have both operated effectively as a lone striker in Champions League games this season but Smith insisted he has other options despite the likelihood that neither player will be available to him when the Greeks come calling.

He added: "We've had a number of the boys playing in that role at different times this season, in pre-season and in other games.

"We wouldn't have allowed Daniel to go to Fulham if we didn't think we could cover for suspensions or injury.

"We feel as though we can cover and we have other options in that department to use."

In fact, participation in the UEFA Cup means Smith could even scrap the 4-5-1 formation he favoured throughout their involvement in the Champions League.

"I might change it in the games against Panathinaikos," he admitted.

"In the Champions League, I felt that gave us a good base on which we could work. We had mixed results - we started really well and finished poorly in terms of results.

"We go into a new tournament now. Panathinaikos are a strong team and we will have to play very well over the two legs if we wish to progress."

Rangers and Panathinaikos both sit top of their respective domestic leagues and enter the last 32 tie on a decent run of form.

"Our reports on them have been good," Smith added.

"Like ourselves, they have been trying to get back into a situation where they are challenging on a better basis in the championship.

"And, like us, they are sitting top of the league at the present moment so they are a good side and we wouldn't think otherwise."

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