Spartak's keeper under doubt for Benfica clash

Moscow - Spartak Moscow goalkeeper Sergei Pesyakov is a doubtful starter for Tuesday’s crucial Champions League clash against Benfica due to a foot injury sustained in the team’s 1-2 league defeat to Anzhi.

Pesyakov is Spartak’s No.2 stopper after Andriy Dikan, who is out with a shoulder knock. It may mean a rare outing for third-choice goalkeeper Artyom Rebrov in at Luzhniki Stadium.

“We suspect a second metatarsal bone fracture,” Spartak’s doctor Mikhail Vartapetov said on the side’s website.

The 23-year-old Pesyakov has made five appearances this season conceding eight goals. He picked up his injury in the last minute of Saturday’s match in Makhachkala in an air collision with ex-Blackburn Rovers centre-back Christopher Samba.

Spartak lost both their opening Champions League group matches — to Barcelona and Celtic — making next week’s game a must-win tie.