© Reuters 2002

MOSCOW, Aug 14 (Reuters) - Russia will bid farewell to their long-serving captain Viktor Onopko ahead of next week's friendly international against Sweden in Moscow.

"He will get a farewell reception before the match," Russia coach Valery Gazzayev told a news conference on Wednesday. "We already sent him an invitation to attend."

Gazzayev, who replaced Oleg Romantsev last month following the country's dismal World Cup showing, did not include Onopko nor any of the other senior players in his provisional 29-man squad for the August 21 game at Moscow's Lokomotiv stadium.

The coach said he wants to test younger players, whom he expects to form the nucleus of the team for the 2004 European championships. Russia begin their Euro 2004 qualifying campaign at home to Ireland on September 7.

Onopko, who turns 33 in two months, won his 100th and, in all probability, final cap for Russia in the 3-2 defeat to Belgium on June 14 as his team conceded two late goals to crash out of the World Cup finals in the first round.

Senior players like Onopko, who plays for Spanish second division side Oviedo, were blamed for Russia's early exit by media and fans.

Gazzayev said he had already chosen the new Russian captain to replace the lanky central defender. "I already picked the man to replace Onopko, but I must first tell him about his new role," he told Reuters. "I will announce the name on Monday."

Gazzayev also ruled Spartak Moscow captain Yegor Titov out of the Sweden friendly because of a knee injury. "He has a serious injury and we hope he'll be back some time next month," the coach said. "His absence is a big blow for us."

The 26-year-old midfielder injured his right knee in last week's Russian premier league match against Anji Makhachkala.