Ferguson struggled with an ankle injury last season

Rangers and Scotland captain Barry Ferguson will undergo surgery on an ankle injury and will be out of action for up to four months.

The 30-year-old midfielder will miss his side's upcoming Champions League qualifiers as well as Scotland's opening World Cup qualifying matches.

"Sadly these things happen in football," assistant manager Ally McCoist told the Rangers website.

"It's very disappointing and no-one is more disappointed than Barry."

Ferguson has struggled with ankle problems over the past three seasons, undergoing surgery to repair ligaments in his right ankle in April 2006.

He also carried an ankle injury last season, helping Rangers chase domestic and European honours.

After seeing a specialist in March, Ferguson was given treatment which allowed him to play the vast majority of side's 68 matches

The Ibrox club's first competitive match of the new season will be the first leg of the Champions League second qualifying round clash against either FBK Kaunas or Santa Coloma on Wednesday 30 July.

Rangers kick off their league campaign at Falkirk on Saturday 9 August.

MY SPORT: DEBATE I think the captaincy is largely symbolic these days anyway, but I think Cuellar has earned it in Ferguson's absence TheLostprophet

"We won't rush him back but we obviously wish him well in his recovery," added McCoist.

"The one saving grace is that this did not happen the day before the start of the season. We have some time to try to cope with it and we simply have to cope with it."

Scotland's opening qualifiers against Macedonia and Iceland take place on 6 and 10 September respectively and Ferguson is also considered a doubt for the visit of Norway on 11 October.

"To lose our captain at the start of the qualifying campaign is a huge blow," said Scotland manager George Burley.

"We'll be keeping in touch with Rangers and Barry over the next few months and our hope is that he gets back playing as soon as possible."

In Ferguson's absence, Rangers may bolster their midfield with the club still in talks with Fulham over a permanent deal for Steven Davis, who had a loan spell at Ibrox last season.

Meanwhile, Ferguson's Rangers team-mate Steven Smith will miss the Ibrox side's pre-season tour of the Netherlands and Germany after suffering an ankle injury of his own.

Smith made his comeback from groin and pelvic problems in April

However, the 22-year-old left-back, who spent a year on the sidelines with groin and pelvic problems, is expected to recover within the next couple of weeks.

"I'm gutted for Stevie but the good news is that the injury is not serious," said McCoist.

"He took a bang on the ankle in training and it means he will miss the trip to Holland and Germany.

"However, he has done the vast majority of the pre-season work which will stand him in good stead and the physios think he will only be out for a week or so."