How Russia could line up against Finland

The National Team lost Daler Kuzyaev to a nasty clash of heads with Timothy Castagne early on in their 3-0 defeat to Belgium, while 37-year-old left-back Yuri Zhirkov pulled up with a calf issue just before half time too.

With Cherchesov now short on options for the left flank, it would not be a surprise to see him revert to a three-man defence, allowing Vyacheslav Karavaev - a right-back by trade - to operate down that side.

Fyodor Kudryashov is a natural replacement for Zhirkov but may not be risked just yet - despite returning to training following a calf injury of his own - while centre-back Igor Diveev is reportedly training individually due to an unspecified issue.

Cherchesov's depleted defence means that defensive midfielder Dmitri Barinov could deputise in a three-man rearguard, which in turn would allow Roman Zobnin and Magomed Ozdoev to partner up in the engine room.

Denis Cheryshev lasted just 34 minutes as a substitute against Belgium before being replaced by Aleksei Miranchuk, and a change in formation could see the Atalanta man link up with Aleksandr Golovin behind target man Artem Dzyuba.

Russia possible starting lineup: Shunin; Dzhikiya, Semenov, Barinov; Fernandes, Zobnin, Ozdoev, Karavaev; Miranchuk, Golovin; Dzyuba