"It's a pity, but the situation is much worse than we thought," said Vasili Berezutski after being forced to withdraw from Russia's UEFA EURO 2012 squad with a thigh injury.

Vasili Berezutski in action for CSKA

Russia defender Vasili Berezutski has been ruled out of UEFA EURO 2012 because of a right thigh muscle injury.

Berezutski was originally expected to be fit by the end of the month but has now been omitted after his recovery progressed slower than anticipated. "It's a pity, but the situation is much worse than we thought," said the 29-year-old PFC CSKA Moskva defender. "I tried to run today and immediately felt pain and discomfort. In the best-case scenario I would return to full fitness by the start of the tournament. We talked with [coach] Dick Advocaat and agreed that I can't help the team. I would only be taking up someone's place at the training camp."

Russia begin their UEFA EURO 2012 campaign against the Czech Republic in Wroclaw on the opening day of the tournament, 8 June. Also in Group A are co-hosts Poland and 2004 winners Greece.