Injury-plagued Russia looking for lift

MOSCOW - World Cup host Russia will test its World Cup mettle in two tough friendlies against Brazil and France that just might lift team spirits after a rash of bad injuries.

Coach Stanislav Cherchesov lined up two of the trophy favorites to brace his men for the pressure of living up to President Vladimir Putin's expectations on home soil.

The absence of Brazilian star Neymar following foot surgery should take little glitter off a match that still feature the likes of Barcelona's Philippe Coutinho, for Brazil, and Manchester United's Paul Pogba, for France.