IGOR AKINFEEV (CSKA Moscow, 08/04/86)

Broke into the CSKA starting line-up aged 17 and has been the first choice ever since, winning the UEFA Cup in 2005. Called into the international squad four years ago but knee injury last May put him out for four months.

VYACHESLAV MALAFEEV (Zenit St Petersburg, 04/03/79)

Made international debut in a Euro 2004 qualification play-off against Wales and played two matches at the tournament in Portugal.

VLADIMIR GABULOV (Amkar Perm, 19/10/83)

Akinfeev's injury thrust Gabulov into the limelight in the crucial home qualifier against England and he did not disappoint as Russia came back from 1-0 down to win 2-1.

DEFENDERS

SERGEI IGNASHEVICH (CSKA Moscow, 14/07/79)

CSKA captain, considered one of the most technically skilled defenders in Russia.

ALEXEI BEREZUTSKI (CSKA Moscow, 20/06/82)

Versatile defender who predominantly plays in the centre but can also operate at full-back and even in midfield. Identical twin brother of Vasili.

VASILI BEREZUTSKI (CSKA Moscow, 20/06/82)

Playing alongside his twin for club and country has helped build on an already strong partnership.

ALEXANDER ANYUKOV (Zenit St Petersburg, 28/9/82)

Strong-running right-back who likes to overlap. Played at Euro 2004.

DENIS KOLODIN (Dynamo Moscow, 11/01/82)

Can play at left-back or in the centre. Penalty taker for Dynamo.

ROMAN SHIROKOV (Zenit St Petersburg, 06/07/81)

Defender who can also operate in midfield. Produced superb performance in Zenit's 4-1 UEFA Cup win over Bayer Leverkusen in Germany.

ROMAN SHISHKIN (Spartak Moscow, 27/01/87)

Right-back who was given his international debut by current boss Guus Hiddink.

MIDFIELDERS

DINIYAR BILYALETDINOV (Lokomotiv Moscow, 27/02/85)

Versatile midfielder who can operate out wide or in the middle, although his preferred position is attacking from behind the two forwards.

MARAT IZMAILOV (Sporting Lisbon, 21/09/82)

Attacking midfielder coming to the end of a season-long loan in Portugal from Lokomotiv Moscow.

IGOR SEMSHOV (Dynamo Moscow, 06/04/78)

World Cup experience in 2002 and, to a lesser extent, Euro 2004 make Semshov, a converted striker, an important part of the midfield.

YURI ZHIRKOV (CSKA Moscow, 20/08/83)

Attacking left-sided player who can also play as a wing-back. Has the creativity necessary to make a difference in the big games.

KONSTANTIN ZYRIANOV (Zenit St Petersburg, 05/10/77)

Main job is as a holding midfielder but is able to adapt to other roles, highlighted when he scored six goals in August 2007 playing for his club.

DMITRI TORBINSKY (Lokomotiv Moscow, 28/04/84)

Pacy winger who can deliver dangerous crosses.

EVGENI ALDONIN (CSKA Moscow, 22/01/80)

Rugged defensive midfielder who played at Euro 2004.

VLADIMIR BYSTROV (Spartak Moscow, 31/01/84)

Very quick right winger with an eye for goal.

FORWARDS

ANDREI ARSHAVIN (Zenit St Petersburg, 29/05/81)

Key man for Russia as, operating in the hole behind the striker, he is responsible for playmaking duties. Suspended for the first two matches of the tournament after getting sent off in the final qualifier in Andorra.

ALEXANDER KERZHAKOV (Dynamo Moscow, 27/11/82)

Another of the more well-known players, having spent a year with Sevilla in La Liga up until January when he left for his homeland because of a lack of first-team opportunities. Scored five goals in the qualifying campaign.

DMITRI SYCHEV (Lokomotiv Moscow, 26/10/83)

Great pace and an eye for goal, SycheV became the youngest person to play for Russia or the USSR at the 2002 World Cup aged 18 and 222 days. Had a relatively unsuccessful two-year spell with Marseille but rediscovered his form on returning to his homeland.

PAVEL POGREBNYAK (Zenit St Petersburg, 08/11/83)

Forward who averages just over a goal every other game for his club in the Russian league, a strike rate he has failed to come close to matching in internationals.

ROMAN PAVLYUCHENKO (Spartak Moscow, 15/12/81)

Gangling striker whose brace helped Russia come from behind to beat England in a key qualifier in Moscow. Linked with Manchester City and Real Madrid over the course of the season.