By Nick
May 21 2012
Russia have been dealt an early blow with an injury to influential defender Vasili Berezutski ..
The CSKA Moscow player was originally expected to have overcome his thigh injuury by end of Maybut has now been omitted from the squad after his recovery progressed slower than anticipated.
"The situation is much worse than we thought," said the 29-year-old. "I tried to run today and immediately felt pain and discomfort. In the best-case scenario I would return to full fitness by the start of the tournament. "
Russia begin their campaign against the Czech Republic in Wroclaw on the opening day of the tournament.
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