A new addition to the Russia squad since Dick Advocaat replaced Guus Hiddink as the team's head coach, Denis Glushakov is an attacking midfielder now in his fourth season with FC Lokomotiv Moskva. He enjoyed an excellent 2011, lifting his goal output to a new level and also excelling in the UEFA Europa League.

• Launched his career on the lower rungs of the Russian league ladder, initially with third-tier FC Nika Moskva, then, after joining Lokomotiv, on loan at SKA Rostov and, in 2007, second-tier FC Zvezda Irkutsk, for whom he scored eight goals in 34 matches.

• Returned to Lokomotiv in 2008 and adapted well to the Russian Premier League, ending his debut campaign with four goals, including one in each of the last two matches.

• Helped the Railwaymen to fourth and fifth-placed finishes in 2009 and 2010, missing just five matches over the course of the two campaigns and making his European debut in the first leg of a UEFA Europa League play-off tie that resulted in surprise elimination by Swiss second division club FC Lausanne-Sport.

• Made his first appearance for Russia on 29 March 2011 in a friendly against Qatar in Doha; his first goal followed seven months later in the UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying victory over Andorra that sealed the team's place at the finals.

• Scored seven goals in the Russian Premier League plus two in the UEFA Europa League − against AEK Athens FC and SK Sturm Graz − during the second half of 2011.