Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Russia fret over Arshavin injury

World Cup 2010 qualifier Group Four - Wales v Russia
Venue: Millennium Stadium Date: Wednesday, 9 September KO: 1945 BST
Coverage: Full commentary on BBC Radio Wales and BBC Radio Cymru, live text commentary and score updates online and score updates on BBC Radio 5 Live. Live on Sky Sports Extra

Andrey Arshavin
Arshavin suffered a groin injury after scoring against Manchester United

Russia captain Andrey Arshavin insists he has a "good chance" of playing Wales in their 2010 World Cup qualifier.

The Arsenal playmaker has a thigh injury that will keep him out of Saturday's Group Four qualifier with Lichtenstein in St Petersburg.

Russia travel to Wales for a qualifier on Wednesday week but Arshavin said: "I have a good chance to play in Cardiff."

Defender Denis Kolodin will miss both Ruissia's qualifiers while Chelsea winger Yuri Zhirkov is a doubt.

Dynamo Moscow centre-back Kolodin is out with a hamstring problem while Chelsea's new £18m man Zhirkov will have a late fitness test as he is still recovering from a knee injury.

Arshavin is also hoping to recover in time after suffering a groin tear in Arsenal's 2-1 defeat at Manchester United on Saturday.

The 28-year-old suffered the injury in the second half and was replaced by Welsh midfielder Aaron Ramsey in the 81st minute.

Russia boss Guys Hiddink says their medical team are assessing the severity of Arshavin's injury.

"Hopefully with some rest and intensive treatment we could get him ready for the Wales match," Hiddink told Reuters news agency.

"It's hard to give a definite answer right now but we should know more about his injury in the next few days."

Russia, who trail leaders Germany by four points with a game in hand, are second in World Cup qualifying Group Four while qualifying is unlikely for Wales as they are fourth.

"I definitely won't be ready to play against Liechtenstein," Arshavin was quoted as saying by local media on Tuesday.

"But I think I have a good chance to play in Cardiff as we still have nine days before that match."

ะพ 3:01 AM

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