UEFA Champions League play-off contenders FC Spartak Moskva will be without the services of captain Sergei Parshivlyuk for an as yet unknown period after the defender sustained a knee injury in training.

The 23-year-old stepped on a ball during Wednesday's session and, according to the provisional examination, tore ligaments in his right knee. The length of his recovery period is still to be determined, although the right-back was sidelined for seven months after suffering the same injury in October 2010.

Parshivlyuk appeared in 19 Premier-Liga matches last season, helping Spartak finish second and qualify for the play-off stage of Europe's premier club competition. On Saturday the capital team play FC Alania Vladikavkaz in their first game of the 2012/13 Russian campaign.