MOSCOW, June 7 (Sputnik) - Midfielders Igor Denisov and Denis Glushakov could have been useful for the Russian national football team at the upcoming FIFA World Cup, Krylia Sovetov head coach and former Russia midfielder Andrey Tikhonov said.
Neither of the players was included in Russia's preliminary squad that trained ahead of the tournament.
"I can't give any comments on the behind-the-scenes moments with Denisov and Glushakov, but the national team could have benefited from these footballers," Tikhonov said in an interview with a YouTube channel on Wednesday.
He added, however, that Russia had quality players in twin brothers, Aleksey and Anton Miranchuk, and Aleksandr Golovin.
Spartak Moscow star Glushakov, who is 31, has been capped for Russia 57 times, scoring five goals and making three appearances at the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
34-year-old Denisov, who plays for recently-crowned Russian champions Lokomotiv Moscow, has made a total of 54 appearances for Russia since his senior debut in 2008 and played two games at the previous tournament.
Russia will host its first FIFA World Cup from June 14 to July 15. The fixtures will be played at 12 stadiums across 11 cities, with the host nation facing Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Uruguay in Group A.
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