Danilova back in Russia mix

WFC Rossiyanka striker Elena Danilova has finally returned to the Russia squad for the upcoming friendlies against China after recovering from a cruciate ligament injury.

'Our leader'
The 22-year-old Danilova has been out of action for a year, but could feature in the two games against China on 6 and 9 July, which will be played in Krasnoarmeisk, in the Moscow region. "She can become our leader," said one of Russia's coaching staff, Andrei Mitin. "She has pace, good technique and killer instinct. I am sure we can help her return to her best shape in time for the EURO in August."

Three changes
Igor Shalimov has made three changes from the team that lost 2-0 to fellow UEFA WOMEN'S EURO 2009™ finalists Ukraine in a 29 May friendly. He did not call up FC Energia Voronezh's Svetlana Tsidikova, Rossiyanka striker Natalia Mokshanova or Zvezda-2005 defender Maria Dyachkova, with the latter is participating at the 2009 World Student Games in Belgrade.

Russia squad
Goalkeepers: Elvira Todua (WFC Rossiyanka), Elena Kochneva (SVSM-Izmaylovo Moskva).

Defenders: Ksenia Tsybutovich (Zvezda-2005), Olga Sergaeva (Zvezda-2005), Elena Suslova (Zvezda-2005), Anna Kozhnikova (WFC Rossiyanka), Olga Poryadina (WFC Rossiyanka), Oksana Shmachkova (WFC Rossiyanka), Natalia Pertseva (WFC Rossiyanka), Nadezhda Miskiv (WFC Rossiyanka).

Midfielders: Tatiana Skotnikova (WFC Rossiyanka), Elena Morozova (WFC Rossiyanka), Valentina Savchenkova (Zvezda-2005), Elena Fomina (SVSM-Izmaylovo Moskva).

Forwards: Olesya Kurochkina (Zvezda-2005), Natalia Barbashina (Zvezda-2005), Elena Terekhova (WFC Rossiyanka), Olga Petrova (WFC Rossiyanka), Elena Danilova (WFC Rossiyanka), Alla Rogova (SVSM-Izmaylovo Moskva).