Russia call up Artur Yusupov to replace Igor Denisov for Euro 2016

Russia manager Leonid Slutsky has called up Zenit St Petersburg midfielder Artur Yusupov to the squad for the European Championship as an injury replacement for Igor Denisov.

Veteran midfielder Denisov picked up a thigh injury in Russia's friendly against Serbia on Sunday.

Denisov's departure from the squad leaves Russia light in central midfield, following the previous withdrawal of key playmaker Alan Dzagoev.

Zenit midfielder Yusupov has made just two previous appearances for the Russian national team -- both in friendlies.

Artur Yusupov is expected to replace injured Igor Denisov in Russia's #EURO2016 squad. pic.twitter.com/JszPESFQF5

- UEFA EURO 2016 (@UEFAEURO) June 6, 2016

And the 26-year-old revealed that he was on holiday in Monaco when he received the call.

"It was a bolt from the blue," Yusupov said, before adding that he had to borrow boots from a teammate in order to take part in training on Monday.

Russia's first game of the tournament in Group B is against England in Marseille on Saturday.