Southampton Rangers have suffered another setback to the start of their season with coach Ricky Brangman in hospital recovering from high fever and chills.

Rangers lost several players during the transfer period, including last season’s MVP Dion Stovell to St David’s and Derrick Brangman, the coach’s son, who made his debut for Bailey’s Bay last weekend.

Rangers begin their season on Sunday when they meet Western Stars in the 11am Twenty20 match at Sea Breeze Oval where another loss for Stars would ensure Rangers and Cleveland places in the semi-finals with a game to spare.

Brangman estimates it could be another couple of weeks before he is healthy enough to resume his coaching duties, with veteran players Janeiro Tucker and Ryan Belboda preparing the team in his absence.

“I should be back out in another couple of weeks, but I won’t be there on Sunday for Rangers’s opening game,” Brangman said.

“I hope to be out [of hospital] by this weekend but Janeiro and Ryan will be taking over the team in my absence.

“The team is in safe hands with Janeiro and Ryan and I’m confident we’ll be all right this season.”

Rangers are the defending league and Belco Cup champions, but the loss of some key players has depleted their ranks. Shannon Rayner also joined St David’s.

“I am a little disappointed that we lost the players, they talked to me and put their concerns out there,” Brangman said. “They are grown men and have reasons why they wanted to leave and I have to accept that as the coach.

“I know we won’t be at full strength until the next game when schoolboys Alex Dore and Sheldon Caesar will be back. I’m confident in the team.

“I want to say thank you to those who made phone calls and sent text messages and [tell them] that I’m doing okay.”

St David’s play their first T20 match on Sunday when they meet Bailey’s Bay at 3pm. Bay won their opening match against Willow Cuts last weekend and another win for Bay, the defending champions, will secure their spot in the semi-finals with maximum points.

It will be an interesting matchup between former Rangers team-mates Stovell and Derrick Brangman. Stovell is expected to make his debut for St David’s while Brangman has already announced himself as a good signing at Bay, picking up four for 15 against Willow Cuts.