Spartak hammer blow for Kalynychenko

FC Spartak Moskva midfielder Maxym Kalynychenko will not play again in 2007 after damaging cruciate ligaments in his right knee on the final weekend of the Russian season.

Injury strikes
Kalynychenko was injured during Sunday's 2-1 win against FC Dinamo Moskva, as his side finished second in the Russian Premier-Liga, and he will be unavailable for the remainder of Spartak's UEFA Cup group stage campaign. The 28-year-old, who made 22 league appearances for Spartak this term, will also miss Ukraine's last two UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifiers against Lithuania and France.

Another blow
His absence is another blow for UEFA Cup Group E contenders Spartak, who already have Russia midfielder Vladimir Bystrov, Moldova anchorman Serghei Covalciuc, Czech Republic defender Martin Jiránek and Poland goalkeeper Wojciech Kowalewski sidelined by injury. Spartak beat Bayer 04 Leverkusen 2-1 in their only Group E game to date. They next play AC Sparta Praha on 29 November.