Lokomotiv Moscow defender Yevgeny Morozov has been ruled out of the Russia national team's upcoming friendly matches due to an injury.
The 25-year-old player will miss three scheduled international fixtures over the coming weeks. He was set to feature against Iran on September 29 in Kazan, Namibia on October 3 in Yekaterinburg, and Nigeria on October 6 in Nizhny Novgorod.
According to news reports from sports channel Match TV, which cited the official press service of Lokomotiv Moscow, Morozov has left the national team training camp. The defender has returned to his club's training facility to undergo a full rehabilitation program.
The Moscow club's press service stated that the defender was unable to take part in the national team matches against Iran, Namibia, and Nigeria due to medical indications. Club officials confirmed that he remains at Lokomotiv's base where he is currently undergoing medical treatment and recovery.
Player statistics and season performance
Morozov has been a regular fixture for Lokomotiv Moscow during the current campaign, appearing in 10 matches across all competitions without recording a goal or an assist. At international level, the central defender has accumulated 10 senior caps for Russia and has scored one goal for his country.
The 25-year-old defender developed through the youth academy at Lokomotiv Moscow before establishing himself as a central defender in top-flight Russian football. He previously gained experience during loan spells, including a stint at Fakel Voronezh, before returning to secure a starting role in the capital side's defensive line.
Lokomotiv Moscow, known as the Railwaymen, is one of Russia's historical football clubs. Based in the capital city, the club competes in the Russian Premier League and plays its home matches at the RZD Arena in Moscow.
Upcoming international fixtures and host cities
The Russian Football Union organized the trio of autumn friendly matches across three distinct host venues. The series begins in Kazan, the capital city of the Republic of Tatarstan, before moving to Yekaterinburg, the principal industrial and cultural center of the Ural Mountains region. The final match of the international window will take place in Nizhny Novgorod, located at the confluence of the Volga and Oka rivers.
All three host cities feature stadium infrastructure built for major international football tournaments, including the 2018 FIFA World Cup. The fixtures provide international match practice against diverse opposition representing two different continental confederations.
Iran arrives as one of the traditional powerhouses of the Asian Football Confederation, while Nigeria, known as the Super Eagles, and Namibia represent the Confederation of African Football. Russia will proceed with its preparations for the three upcoming international friendlies without Morozov, while the defender focuses on his recovery with Lokomotiv ahead of domestic league action.
