Spartak lose goalkeeper to shoulder injury ahead of Champions League tie with Celtic

By EWING GRAHAME
Published on 01/10/2012 02:45

Spartak Moscow goalkeeper Andriy Dikan is set to miss tomorrow night’s Champions League tie 
with Celtic after being taken off at half-time with a shoulder injury during Saturday’s 3-1 win at Amkar Perm.

He will also be out of action for the following European match against Benfica on 23 October, the Russian Premier League club announced last night.

“Today, Dykan had a medical examination which revealed damage to a shoulder joint.

“He will be out of action for a month,” Spartak said on their website.

The Ukraine goalkeeper was replaced by 23-year-old rookie Sergei Pesyakov, who is expected to make his European debut against Neil Lennon’s side.

Spartak, who were beaten by Barcelona 3-2 in their Group G opener earlier this month, are already without injured midfielders Romulo and Jurado, defenders Nicolas Pareja and club captain Sergei Parshivlyuk and Brazilian striker Welliton.

Despite the injury concerns, Saturday’s result was a boost for the Muscovites.

They came from behind to beat Akar Perm, with goals from Sweden midfielder Kim Kallstrom, Brazilian forward Ari and Artem Dzyuba. It was Amkar’s first home defeat in over a year.

Former Celtic winger Aiden McGeady was rested for the victory over Amkar that lifted last season’s runners-up to fifth in the Russian Premier League, four points behind leaders Anzhi 
Makhachkala.