Hiddink - Spurs new boy is fit

Pavlyuchenko set to face Wales following ankle problem

Last updated: 9th September 2008   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Hiddink - Spurs new boy is fit

Pavlyuchenko: Fit for Russia

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Russia coach Guus Hiddink feels Spurs are being 'over-concerned' regarding the fitness of new signing Roman Pavlyuchenko.

Hiddink says the Premier League club wrote to the Russian FA to ask for Pavlyuchenko to be excused from the 2010 World Cup qualifier with Wales in Moscow.

The striker has been carrying an ankle problem, but Hiddink is confident that Pavlyuchenko is fit to face John Toshack's side on Wednesday.

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

"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."

Strong suggestion

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."

Hiddink, who plans to visit Spurs in the near future to meet manager Juande Ramos, is urging Pavlyuchenko to be fully focused on his commitments to the national team.

The Dutchman continued: "I know Juande Ramos and I hope to visit Spurs in a short time to discuss things.

"Pavlyuchenko is fully recovered, he has trained all week and there has not been a single problem.

"Now he must give everything for the national team. There is always a danger of injury, but he must give everything to Russia now."