Southampton Rangers could be missing three key players through injury in Sunday’s Lindo’s Twenty20 opener against Western Stars.

Batsmen Dion Stovell and Curtis Jackson and wicketkeeper Kwame Tucker picked up injuries in the Premier Division title decider against St David’s last weekend at Lord’s.

Jackson was worst off, as he suffered an Achilles tendon injury that required surgery and has been ruled out for the rest of the season.

Stovell, the team’s most successful batsman this campaign, remains doubtful because of a knee injury, while Tucker suffered a pulled muscle.

“We’re serious about the Twenty20, all teams should be serious about winning a cup, but we have three injuries now,” Ricky Brangman, the Rangers coach, said.

“I don’t know the situation with Dion right now but Curtis is finished for the season and Kwame is finished for the season. Curtis got an operation yesterday and is in a cast now.”

The injuries will create opportunities for youngsters to get exposure, Brangman said. “That’s what makes up a team,” he said. “We have youngsters and it’s time for them to have a turn.” The injuries were a big blow to Rangers in their batting on Sunday as they tried to reach the 185 posted by St David’s.

Ultimately, they managed only 104 in 34.2 overs as opener Jackson was forced to retire hurt before returning late in the innings with a runner. Stovell was out first ball, bowled by George O’Brien.

“The game changed when Curtis got hurt and with the three injuries those guys couldn’t sit up and bat,” Brangman said.

“We had a plan. We said if we won the toss, we would put them in and give them about 180. Our record is pretty good there and that’s why I felt pretty comfortable about going down there to play them.”

O’Brien’s performance with the bat and ball proved significant for St David’s, as they wrapped up a second straight championship, although it was a nervous finish to a title race that they looked to have sewn up weeks ago.

That Rangers were able to get back into the race after losses to Somerset and Willow Cuts was commendable, Brangman said.

“It was really disappointing when we played Willow Cuts. We needed six runs and had about three or four batsmen and a lot of overs left, and couldn’t make it.

“We thought that we pretty much lost the league when we lost to Willow Cuts, but things worked out for us and we got the points from the [abandoned] Somerset game and it put us back in the driver’s seat.

“At the same time, you can’t take anything from St David’s. They stuck to their game plan and played well. They were definitely the better team over the course of the season.

“Like I told my team, to win the league you have to beat Willow Cuts and you have to beat St David’s — and we didn’t do it. We weren’t strong on Sunday when we played St David’s. We wanted it but didn’t work hard to get it.”

Rangers have finished runners-up twice in the two seasons that Brangman has been coach. They also lost their Belco Cup title to St David’s this season, but Brangman feels that there were some positives to take from the season.

“I’m pleased with the team and the attitude of the players,” Brangman said. “I like training those players; they are a good bunch of guys.”