Pavlyuchenko cancels Moscow flight in bid to save his Tottenham career

10 August 2009 16:55
Roman Pavlyuchenko has revealed he put off joining up with the Russia squad in a bid to impress Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp. The striker has been expected to leave White Hart Lane this summer, but is keen to prove he is no flop following a £13.8million move from Spartak Moscow last summer. The 27-year-old was due to fly to the Russian capital on Sunday morning to join up with his national team, but hastily rearranged the trip when Redknapp asked if he would be available to face Olympiakos later in the day. It paid off, with Pavlyuchenko getting among the scorers in a 3-0 win that also saw Jermain Defoe, Robbie Keane and newboy Peter Crouch used in attack. The Russian took a flight soon after the match, explaining: 'Taking a night flight to arrive in Moscow on the first day of (Russia) training is, of course, very inconvenient. 'But after talking to Redknapp I realised I must stay with the team and changed tickets. 'In the end, I played and even scored. Now I will arrive in Moscow in an even better mood.' Russia face Argentina in a showpiece friendly on Wednesday night. Arsenal's Andrey Arshavin is also in the squad, but Chelsea's Yuri Zhirkov has been forced to withdraw with a knee injury. Liverpool's Javier Mascherano, Newcastle United's Jonas Gutierrez are in the Argentina squad.

Source: Daily_Mail