Pogrebynak returns for Russia's preliminary squad

Pogrebynak returns for Russia's preliminary squad

Pogrebynak returns for Russia's preliminary squad - Striker Pavel Pogrebnyak was a surprise inclusion in Russia's preliminary 30-man squad for the FIFA World Cup.

Coach Fabio Capello selected a strong squad Monday, one that will be trimmed by seven ahead of next month's showpiece in Brazil.

His decision to hand Reading forward Pogrebnyak an international lifeline was unexpected, with the 30-year-old plying his trade in England's Championship this season.

But his 13-goal haul has obviously impressed Capello, with Pogrebnyak set to break his international drought – which saw him last play at UEFA Euro 2012 – in the coming weeks.

Russia will play friendlies against Slovakia, Norway and Morocco in late May and early June as preparation for the World Cup.

There was no place for Lokomotiv Moscow forward Roman Pavlyuchenko while his club teammate Dmitry Tarasov also missed out.

Pogrebnyak is the only foreign-based member of the squad, which is led by captain Sergei Ignashevich.

Ignashevich, part of a defense that conceded just five goals in 10 European qualifiers, will lean on experienced pair Yuri Zhirkov and Igor Akinfeev.

Zenit forward Aleksandr Kerzhakov is expected to lead the line in Brazil after scoring five goals in Russia's qualifying campaign, which saw them win seven of 10 Group F matches and finish one point ahead of Portugal.

Russia will face South Korea, Belgium and Algeria in Group H at the World Cup.

Squad in full:

Goalkeepers: Igor Akinfeev (CSKA Moscow), Yuri Lodygin (Zenit), Sergei Ryzhikov (Rubin Kazan)

Defenders: Aleksandr Anyukov (Zenit), Aleksei Berezutski (CSKA Moscow), Vasili Berezutski (CSKA Moscow), Andrey Yeshchenko (Anzhi Makhachkala), Vladimir Granat (Dynamo Moscow), Sergei Ignashevich (CSKA Moscow), Dmitri Kombarov (Spartak Moscow), Alexei Kozlov (Dynamo Moscow), Georgi Schennikov (CSKA Moscow), Andrei Semenov (Terek Grozny)

Midfielders: Igor Denisov (Dynamo Moscow), Alan Dzagoev (CSKA Moscow), Viktor Fayzulin (Zenit), Yuri Gazinskiy (Krasnodar), Denis Glushakov (Spartak Moscow), Pavel Mogilevets (Rubin Kazan), Oleg Shatov (Zenit), Roman Shirokov (Krasnodar), Yuri Zhirkov (Dynamo Moscow)

Forwards: Vladimir Bystrov (Anzhi Makhachkala), Artem Dzyuba (Rostov), Alexei Ionov (Dynamo Moscow), Maxim Kanunnikov (Amkar Perm), Aleksandr Kerzhakov (Zenit), Aleksandr Kokorin (Dynamo Moscow), Pavel Pogrebnyak (Reading), Aleksandr Samedov (Lokomotiv Moscow) // ( goal.com )

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Russia unveils preliminary 30-man roster

Ben Hoskins

Russia unveils preliminary 30-man roster - Fabio Capello unveiled a 30 man preliminary squad and Pavel Pogrebnyak turns up as the surprise pick.

The preliminary squad for Russia was announced on Monday and striker Pavel Pogrebnyak was a shock inclusion. The Reading striker has not been included in any squads since Fabio Capello took over in July 2012 and is the only foreign-based player in the 30 man squad.

Pogrebnyak is in his second season with the Championship side and has scored 13 goals in 39 appearances in a season that failed to see the club promoted to the Premier League. But his inclusion comes at the omission of Andrei Arshavin, who is largely a substitute at Zenit Saint Petersburg, and Roman Pavlyuchenko, who announced his retirement from the national team last summer.

Besides Pogrebnyak's inclusion, most of the other players have been consistently called up under Capello. The backline will likely be marshalled by Sergey Ignashevich and Vasili Berezutski while the midfield will be built around the trio of Roman Shirokov, Igor Denisov, and Viktor Fayulin. Up front, Capello will likely use Aleksandr Kerzhakov as the lone striker.

Capello's team face Norway and Morocco in friendly matches before the Italian has to name a 23 man squad by June 2.

Russia are in Group H and will be battling Belgium, South Korea, and Algeria for one of two spots to advance to the second round.

Here is the full provisional squad:

Goalkeepers: Igor Akinfeev (CSKA Moscow), Yury Lodygin (Zenit St Petersburg), Sergey Ryzhikov (Rubin Kazan).

Defenders: Alexander Anyukov (Zenit St Petersburg), Alexey Berezutskiy (CSKA Moscow), Vasili Berezutskiy (CSKA Moscow), Vladimir Granat (Dynamo Moscow), Andrey Eshchenko (Anzhi Makhachkala), Sergey Ignashevich (CSKA Moscow), Alexey Kozlov (Dynamo Moscow), Dmitry Kombarov (Spartak Moscow), Andrey Semenov (Terek Grozny), Georgi Schennikov (CSKA Moscow).

Midfielders: Vladimir Bystrov (Anzhi Makhachkala), Yury Gazinskiy (Krasnodar), Denis Glushakov (Spartak Moscow), Igor Denisov (Dynamo Moscow), Alan Dzagoev (CSKA Moscow), Yury Zhirkov (Dynamo Moscow), Alexey Ionov (Dynamo Moscow), Pavel Mogilevets (Rubin Kazan), Alexander Samedov (Lokomotiv Moscow), Victor Faizulin (Zenit St Petersburg), Oleg Shatov (Zenit St Petersburg), Roman Shirokov (Krasnodar).

Forwards: Artem Dzyuba (Rostov), Maxim Kanunnikov (Amkar Perm), Alexander Kerzhakov (Zenit St Petersburg), Alexander Kokorin (Dynamo Moscow), Pavel Pogrebnyak (Reading). // ( sbnation.com )

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