Hiddink will call on crocked Chelsea midfielder Yuri Zhirkov for Russia

21 August 2009 16:08
No excuses: Yuri Zhirkov has been told he must play[LNB]Guus Hiddink expects Yuri Zhirkov to be ready to play for Russia in a fortnight despite the 26-year-old still being unfit to train fully with Chelsea.[LNB]Zhirkov hopes to have recovered from a right knee injury to make his Barclays Premier League debut against Burnley next Saturday and Hiddink is in no mood to excuse him from the World Cup qualifiers against Liechtenstein on September 5 and Wales four days later.[LNB]The £18million signing from CSKA Moscow is included in a 23-man squad with Arsenal forward Andrey Arshavin, Tottenham Hotspur striker Roman Pavlyuchenko and Everton target Vladimir Bystrov.[LNB]Russia fans have been advised against making the trip to Cardiff because of swine flu fears, but the president of the country's supporters association says they should be fine if they drink local whisky.[LNB]Russia are currently heading for a play-off and lie second in their South Africa 2010 qualification group, four points behind Germany with a game in hand.[LNB] Ashley's in the Cashley as England left-back signs new £25million contract at Chelsea How can United replace Ronaldo? Only by signing Messi, says Frank LampardChelsea and Manchester United target Sergio Aguero snubs Premier League to stay in Spain CHELSEA MANAGER FC

Source: Daily_Mail