Rangers manager Walter Smith admits last season's exertions are still taking their toll as Carlos Cuellar battles to take part in some stage of their Champions League clash against FBK Kaunas.

Cuellar is out of Wednesday's first leg of the second qualifying round and is doubtful for the return match the following week.

Rangers begin their season just over two months after their previous marathon campaign ended with a Scottish Cup final triumph over Queen of the South.

That success added to their CIS Insurance Cup win and came shortly after their Clydesdale Bank Premier League and UEFA Cup challenges ended in failure at the final hurdle.

Cuellar played 63 matches in his debut season but it appears to have finally caught up with him following his return from the summer break.

The former Osasuna defender made his first appearance of pre-season against Raith Rovers on Saturday after being troubled by a calf problem, and suffered another strain in a different part of the muscle.

"I think there is perhaps a little bit of fatigue there and a hangover from the number of games he played last season," Smith told Rangers World.

"We can put the injury down to that. I would hope Carlos may yet be fit for the second leg in Kaunas but we need to give him an opportunity to let the problem clear up.

"We thought he was perfectly okay as he had a week of training under his belt and that was the strange thing about Saturday."

Midfielders Lee McCulloch and Kevin Thomson both missed the 2-1 win at Kirkcaldy but both returned to training on Monday and should be fit to face Kaunas at Ibrox.

"In Lee's case, I don't think there will be any problem as he has had a throat infection and that shouldn't affect him too much," Smith added.

"Kevin took a little knock on his knee in training last Friday but is back in training again and he should be all right."

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