Russia’s preparations for Saturday’s Group B opener against England have hit more problems after three players missed training.
Coach Leonid Slutsky lost five key men in the build-up to the tournament in France due to injuries.
The situation worsened yesterday as defender Vasili Berezutski and midfielders Dmitri Torbinski and Denis Glushakov were forced to sit out training.
Russia are still hopeful the trio will recover to play some part in Marseille but their absence is another headache for Slutsky.
The Russia coach is yet to decide on how to set-up against England after losing Igor Denisov on the eve of the tournament.
The holding midfielder tore a thigh muscle in their final warm-up game against Serbia on Sunday and the squad are also without fellow midfielders Alan Dzagoev and Yuri Zhirkov, winger Denis Cheryshev and defender Oleg Kuzmin.
The new injuries have added to the sense of chaos among the squad and midfielder Pavel Mamaev admits events have taken their toll.
“The coach has not detailed for certain anything about central midfield now,” he said. “We have lost a key player and that is a shame.
“There were a few players missing [yesterday] because we do not want to risk anything in case there are more worries about injuries.
“Hopefully, they will be ready to play. The coach is certainly doing everything he can to make sure we will be ready for the England game.”
Despite Russia’s problems, Mamaev is optimistic about their chances on Saturday and believes their attack can give England’s defence a hard time.
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“I think England are a strong team,” he said. “Of course they have world-class players but first and foremost they are a big team in Europe because they are a team, not individuals.
“But I believe we have a very strong attacking team, all the players are in their prime and we are ready to take the fight to the English defence.”
