Source: SKY_Sports
Pav hopeful on fitness
Roman Pavlyuchenko is determined to be fit for Russia's final World Cup qualifier against Azerbaijan.
The Tottenham striker has endured a frustrating start to the season, playing less than 30 minutes of Premier League football.
He has had to compete with in-form trio Jermain Defoe, Robbie Keane and Peter Crouch for a place in the Spurs side and has also been hampered by an Achilles problem.
Pavlyuchenko started on the bench as Russia lost to Germany on Saturday but came on in the 54th minute and looked lively.
The 27-year-old suffered a muscle problem on the plastic pitch in Moscow but hopes to have recovered in time for the clash with Azerbaijan.
"I will fly with the team to Baku and hope to play, but a final decision will be made later on," said Pavlyuchenko.
"It seems I have lost the habit of playing on synthetics - the pains in my muscles told me that after Saturday's match.
"The match between Azerbaijan and Russia will be one of the games of the year. We have already secured second place, but that means nothing. We go to Baku for victory."
Pavlyuchenko has been linked with a move away from White Hart Lane for some time and Zenit St Petersburg are understood to be interested.
Agent Oleg Artemov claimed last week that talks with Zenit were set to go ahead but fresh reports suggest a deal is still a long way from being agreed.
