The Baggies frontman, who missed Friday night's disappointing 0-0 draw with Slovakia after suffering a calf strain, was on Saturday ruled out of the clash with the Group B leaders at the Luzhniki Stadium on Tuesday. However, skipper Robbie Keane, who received a knock to the back, and defender John O'Shea, who has a sore Achilles tendon, are expected to be fit. Giovanni Trapattoni will have to make at least one change with central defender Sean St Ledger suspended after picking up a second booking against the Slovakians. Darren O'Dea could replace him, although O'Shea could move inside with either Kevin Foley or Stephen Kelly taking over at right-back. Russia are two points clear at the top of the group after their 1-0 win over Macedonia with the Republic and Slovakia level in second on 14 points.
