Hiddink plays down worries
07 Jun 2008 - 15:58:56
Russia coach Guus Hiddink has backed his squad to counter the potential loss of two of their key attacking players.
Russia will definitely be without suspended playmaker Andrei Arshavin for their Group D opener against Spain in Innsbruck on June 10.
Meanwhile, main striker Pavel Pogrebnyak, who scored ten times in Zenit St Petersburg's UEFA Cup triumph this season, is also struggling to be fit for the clash.
The in-form marksman remains hampered by a knee injury picked up in a warm-up match against Serbia.
However, despite his attacking problems, Hiddink believes his squad has enough depth to cope with the loss of two of their key players.
He said: "I've known about Arshavin for many months and Pogrebnyak in recent days.
"That's a setback. I can't complain and start crying, but I have confidence that, if Pogrebnyak won't respond well in a few days, the rest of the team can cover for those two losses."
