Russia's Akinfeyev set for knee surgery in Germany

MOSCOW (Reuters) -- Russia goalkeeper Igor Akinfeyev will fly to Germany on Tuesday to undergo an operation to repair torn ligaments on his left knee.

"Tests showed torn ligaments, that means it'll be some six months before I can resume training," the CSKA Moscow player was quoted as saying in Tuesday's Sport-Express newspaper.

"Basically I'll be out for the rest of the year."

The 21-year-old, voted Russia's best goalkeeper for the past two seasons, suffered the injury while playing in a premier league match at Rostov on Sunday.

He will miss several of Russia's Euro 2008 Group E qualifiers this year, including key home and away matches against England in September and October.

The Russians, who have 11 points from five matches, trail group leaders Croatia by two points. England and Israel also have 11 points but have played six games.

Copyright 2007 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved.