Senegal manager Aliou Cisse has admitted he's devastated for Rangers star Abdallah Sima after he was ruled out of the African Cup of Nations.

But he's backed him to use his injury disappointment to return stronger.

The Ibrox forward has been in outstanding form for Rangers this season with the 22-year-old netting 15 goals in all competitions.

But he suffered international heartache when he was sent home from the Ivory Coast after playing no part in Senegal's two games before it was revealed he had suffered a thigh injury that could potentially rule him out for an extended period of time.

And Senegal boss Cisse admitted his departure is a serious blow to their chances of winning the tournament for the second time in a row.

He said: "I am very sad for him.

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"When he left the group, he was quite low. He's a boy who has a lot of quality and I was counting on him.

"It’s a shame that he was injured, but he is young and will come back stronger."

Philippe Clement said of the injury blow: “It is always dangerous to hear those things when they happen when they are not here.

"I always like to hear my medical staff and what they think about things so Abda is going to come back as fast as possible.

"I have been in contact with him already. He is going to come back as fast as possible to make a good assessment and to see how long he will be out.”