“I am not worried about it. This is not because I’m sure I’ll make it [into the final World Cup squad]. If the coaching staff make this decision, they know best. If it is better for the team, then why not,” Kutepov told journalists.

Russia preliminary 28-man squad will need to be cut down to 23 players by June 4. Stanislav Cherchesov’s side are currently continuing their preparations for the World Cup at their base camp in Novogorsk, just outside Moscow.

The World Cup gets underway on June 14, with the final to be played on July 15. The hosts have been drawn in Group A along with Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Uruguay.