Russia's star winger Andrei Kanchelskis became the latest in a string of withdrawals from the Carlsberg Cup Lunar New Year tournament which starts tomorrow at the Hong Kong Stadium.
Kanchelskis pulled out of the territory's biggest soccer extravaganza after picking up an ankle injury in England, leaving the Russians depleted and vulnerable as they prepare to do battle against Yugoslavia in the opening match.
The fiery winger, who recently signed for Fiorentina from Everton for GBP8 million, has joined a host of players missing from the tournament.
More than half the Swiss side who competed in last year's Euro 96 have failed to make the trip here including winger Kubilay Turkyilmaz, Borussia Dortmund striker Stephane Chapuisat and Inter Milan's Ciriaco Sforza.
The Russian squad, apart from Kanchelskis, are also not as strong as they could be with Ilia Tsymbalar, of Spartak Moscow, one of the few notable stars.
But Kanchelskis' absence is a blow to organisers, who had looked forward to the Ukrainian's presence as probably the biggest drawcard in the tournament.