Russian To Sign For Toon For £10? We Wish!

Last updated : 15 November 2007 By Footy Mad - Editor

Allardyce has already drawn up a list of potential targets as he prepares to enter the January transfer market and the 26-year-old Zenit St Petersburg man features high on it.

The Magpies will be represented in the Middle East this weekend as Russia travel to take on Israel in a Euro 2008 qualifier, watching the player who is rated at around £7million,.

The versatile Arshavin, who can play as a striker, in the hole, as an attacking midfielder or a right-sided midfielder, was voted Russia's player of the year last year.

Fellow Russia striker Alexander Kerzhakov claims England will fail to qualify for Euro 2008 because money has made their players lazy.

Kerzhakov believes Russia work much harder during games and are far more deserving of a place in next summer's finals.

"England have a team of big stars who earn an awful lot of money from playing with their private deals," he said.

"Russia have a compact group of players who don't have anywhere near as much money, but with far more hard workers on the field. That's the difference between the countries.

"That's why we are in a strong position and England have been left just hoping."