Russia coach Guus Hiddink is set to play Chelsea winger Yuri Zhirkov in their World Cup playoff against Slovenia.

Zhirkov is yet to overcome his latest injury, which was collected while previously on international duty.

But Hiddink will risk the wrath of Chelsea successor Carlo Ancelotti by playing £18million crock Zhirkov for Russia on Saturday.

Striker Zhirkov has had knee trouble but is in line to face Slovenia in a World Cup play-off. Hiddink said: "We won't have any problems with him. His form is good."