Reading striker Pavel Pogrebnyak gets surprise Russia World Cup call-up

Reading striker Pavel Pogrebnyak has been named in Russia's preliminary 30-man squad for next month's World Cup in Brazil.

The 30-year-old is selected for the first time since Fabio Capello became national manager and is the only player who doesn't play his club football in Russia.

Pogrebnyak averaged a goal every three games for Reading in 2013-14 as they missed out on the playoffs right at the death on the final day.

He edged out the likes of Andrey Arshavin and Pavel Pogrebnyak in being selected and will find out if he has made the final cut when Capello names his 23-man squad on June 2.

Russia face Belgium, Algeria and South Korea in the group stages in Brazil.