The most experienced member of the Russia squad, Sergei Ignashevich has been a near-permanent presence in central defence for his country since his debut almost a decade ago. Tough and authoritative, the PFC CSKA Moskva stopper also packs an explosive right-foot shot and is a useful option at free-kicks.

• A native Muscovite, he returned to his home city when joining FC Lokomotiv Moskva from PFC Krylya Sovetov Samara in 2001; won the Russian Cup with Lokomotiv that same year and the Premier-Liga in 2002 as well as reaching the last 16 of the 2002/03 UEFA Champions League.

• Departed for city rivals CSKA on a free transfer in 2004; added Premier-Liga titles in 2005 and 2006 plus Russian Cup wins in 2005, 2006, 2008 and 2009.

• Ever-present in CSKA's 2004/05 UEFA Cup triumph, scoring two goals in nine games – against SL Benfica and AJ Auxerre.

• First capped in August 2002, he was a key man in Russia's UEFA EURO 2004 qualification, starting all ten matches and hitting three goals, but missed the finals with a knee injury; had to wait another four years for his major tournament bow, at UEFA EURO 2008, where he started four games as Russia reached the semi-finals.

• Began the 2011 season in prolific fashion, scoring four goals in CSKA's first six matches in all competitions, including both in an opening-day 2-0 win against FC Amkar Perm.

• Had appeared in all bar one of CSKA's matches in the transitional 2011/12 Premier-Liga campaign when he broke a toe in his right foot two months before the start of the UEFA European Championship.

UEFA honours
UEFA Cup: winner 2005