The first choice goalkeeper of the senior national team of Russia Stanislav Agkatsev has been ruled out of the friendly game against Nigeria on Friday, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.
Agkatsev who have been speaking about the game in the last few days was widely expected to be in goal against Nigeria after helping Krasnodar lift the Russian League title last season.
However a report from the camp of the team says he won’t take part in the game against Nigeria and also the game against Belarus on the 10th due to an injury detected yesterday.
“Agkatsev arrived to the national team with slight discomfort of an overload nature. Together with the medical management of the club, the coaching and medical staff of the national team, a decision was made not to risk the health of the footballer and to continue his recovery in the club’s conditions,” a statement on the website of the Russia Football Federation reveals.
His absence will no doubt weaken the team that will play against Nigeria, with Russia using the game to keep their national team together following a ban from competitive football by FIFA in the aftermath of the decision of their government to invade Ukraine.