Injured Russia defender Viacheslav Dayev has been sent home from the World Cup finals.
The 29-year-old centre half has been nursing a leg injury for the last three weeks and is not expected to recover in the near future.
His departure is another blow to Russia coach Oleg Romantsev ahead of Friday's Group H make-or-break match against Belgium.
Romantsev hopes to have influential playmaker Alexander
Mostovoi back after recovering from a hamstring injury.
In second place with three points, Russia must avoid a defeat in their last game to progress to the second round.