Russia will be without injured midfielders Dmitry Alenichev and Vladislav Radimov for their final Euro 2004 Group 10 qualifier at home to Georgia next Saturday.
Zenit St Petersburg captain Radimov suffered an eye injury last month, while Alenichev, who plays for Portuguese champions Porto, was still recovering from a pulled muscle in his thigh following a 1-1 draw against Ireland in Dublin on September 6.
Georgy Yartsev, who replaced Valery Gazzayev as Russia coach just over a month ago, called up only 18 players for the match in Moscow.
The Russians, who are in second place, a point behind group leaders Switzerland, need only to avoid defeat against last-placed Georgia to secure a playoff spot.
A win would give Russia a chance to finish first if the Swiss do not beat Ireland in Basel on the same night.
Filed By Neil Callanan
