Lokomotiv Moscow striker Ruslan Pimenov will miss Russia's opening Euro 2004 qualifying Group Ten match against Ireland on Saturday because of a knee injury, Russia's head coach Valery Gazzayev today.
"I'm sorry that Ruslan (Pimenov) will miss the match," Gazzayev told reporters.
"He still suffers from a knee injury, which forced his move to Germany for a course of treatment."
Russia's coach said he would not call any players to replace Pimenov in his squad, adding he had enough skilled strikers at his disposal.
He also said that he was not worried with a lack of form of Saint Petersburg forward Alexander Kerzhakov, who missed several matches of the Russian Premier league because of a minor injury.
"I hope he will be able to play at his best on Saturday," Russia's coach said. "Anyway we will discuss his physical conditions ahead of the match and decide whether he's ready to play."
Gazzayev added he was still to decide who of his goalkeepers would start the match as both Ruslan Nigmatullin and Sergei Ovchinnikov allowed three goals in their sides' recent matches.
Gazzayev also said he was demanding his players perform at their highest level of concentration in the clash with Ireland.
"Ireland is now one of the strongest squads in the world," he said. "They are skilled enough and are able to perform with perfect team spirit to become a serious threat to any opponents."