Russian Premier League club Spartak Moscow are sweating on the fitness of former Chelsea star Victor Moses a day before the first leg of the third qualifying round Champions League meeting with Benfica.

Spartak Moscow manager Rui Vitoria said at the pre-match press conference on Tuesday that the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations winner suffered a minor injury during their last league game against Krylya Sovetov Samara.

Moses was replaced after an hour vs Krylya Sovetov Samara and it has now come to a light that it was an injury-enforced substitution not a tactical decision by the Portuguese football tactician.

Undoubtedly one of the standout players for Spartak Moscow in pre-season with four goals to his name, Moses has yet to open his account in competitive matches this term.

The 30-year-old has a wealth of experience in European competitions from his time at Chelsea, Fenerbahce and Inter Milan, playing 23 matches in total and scoring five goals.

Speaking about the team's injury situation, Vitoria was quoted as saying by Spartak's official website : "Promes probably won’t be able to play, Maslov is also not ready yet. Moses and Dzhikiya picked up slight injuries in the last match, but we hope they will be able to help us.

"Ponce has just returned from the Olympics still needs time to be ready again, but will be in the squad tomorrow."

The positive news is that Moses participated in group training in Spartak Moscow's last workout on Tuesday.

Igho Kingsley

Photo Credit : spartak.com