Russia Loose Captain To Injury

Captain of the Russian team Roman Shirokov did not recover from a knee ligament injury he sustained back in April in the Russian Premier League, so therefore, he is billed to miss the World Cup which kicks off in 6 days time.

Russia coach Fabio Capello announced that 32-year-old Shikorov will not be available as he was not able to overcome the injury and will be undergoing a knee surgery next week in Finland.

Capello guided the Russian team in this year's World Cup after they missed out of the last two editions confirmed that Shirokov will be replaced by Rubin Kazan's midfielder Pavel Mogilevets.

"Mogilevets will replace Shirokov in our squad but we still have time before 15 June to make final changes in the squad's line-up," he said.

Shikorov's injury relapsed in a Thursday training with the national team, having missed the last two international friendlies of the Fabio Capello's led side.

Russia is drawn in Group H alongside Belgium and Algeria and Korea Republic.

They open World Cup campaign against Korea Republic on June 18.