RANGERS boss Ally McCoist has tipped Dean Shiels to fill the void left by the injured Lewis Macleod.

Macleod was stretchered off early on in the Petrofac Training Cup semi-final against Alloa on Wednesday night.

The 20-year-old has suffered a hamstring strain and will be unavailable for selection for several weeks.

It is a huge blow to the Gers as the midfielder had been their most consistent player in the 2014/15 campaign.

However, McCoist is confident that Shiels can take over from the youngster and acquit himself well.

The Northern Ireland internationalist came off the bench in midweek and scored a second-half goal to put his side 2-0 in front.

It was only the 29-year-old's second appearance for the SPFL League One champions in six weeks.

But McCoist said: "When one door closes, another one opens. Shiels has been training extremely well and it's not an easy thing to do when you are training when the team have been doing well and you think to yourself it has been a struggle to get back in.

"But his own focus and level of training has been excellent. He came in on Wednesday, took his chance and scored his goal, and will certainly be in the running to replace Lewis."

McCoist added: "Lewis is struggling. He pulled his hamstring and is on crutches. It probably could be a while before he is back.

"The next few days will give us an indication of how long it will be, but it looks a pretty serious one.

"It's a massive loss because he's been great for us this season. Outwith his goals, his level of performances have been good.

"He's certainly been one of the bright things that's kept us going this season and put a smile on the fans' faces."

Meanwhile, Lee Wallace, who missed the Scottish Cup win over Kilmarnock and the Petrofac Training Cup defeat to Alloa, could be back to face Cowdenbeath in the SPFL Championship at Ibrox this afternoon.

The left-back, who sustained an ankle injury in training last week, has passed a late fitness test. However, Stevie Smith is available after completing his two match suspension.

The left-sided player was red-carded at the start of the 2-0 defeat to Hearts at Tynecastle last month for a late tackle on Callum Paterson.