Spurs wrote to the Russian FA asking for the former Spartak Moscow frontman to be excused international duty in the Lokomotiv stadium because of an ankle injury.

But Hiddink insists the 26-year-old will play against Wales in Russia's opening Group Four match.

And he said: "He must give everything for the national side and only after the match will he consider his obligations to Spurs.

"Spurs did send us a letter suggesting that he did not play. But our medical staff, and those from his previous club say he is healthy, and I must take that same view."

He added: "It was a strong suggestion that we should leave him out, but if you fear injury you would never play anyone.

"If Spurs had a league game coming up and were worried about players being injured, nobody would ever play. Spurs are being over-concerned.

"There is always the fear of injury. People can fall down the steps! But you should not sign big players if you do not want them to play."

Wales began their quest to reach South Africa 2010 with a 1-0 victory over Azerbaijan on Saturday to sit level on points with Germany, albeit behind Joachim Low's team on goal difference.

The Euro 2008 runners-up romped to a 6-0 triumph over Liechtenstein in Vaduz at the weekend to get their qualify campaign off to a flying start.

Next up for the Germans is Wednesday's trip to Helsinki to face Finland.

Low believes the best way to break down the Finns is by attacking them from the whistle rather than playing the patient game which helped Germany to a comfortable win at the weekend.

"We have got to play an attacking game and try to knock them off course," he said.

"We have good footballers who can play attacking football and we have got to make the most of this.

"We expect a very tough task because the Finland team has always been well organised and still is.

"Finland only narrowly lost out to Portugal and Poland in the European Championships qualifiers and we expect them to be a tough opponent.

"Finland will ask everything of us."

Wednesday's other game in Group Four sees Azerbaijan and Liechtenstein each go in search of their first points when they go head to head in Baku.