Kutepov: 'I'm not afraid of Luis Suarez, I can bite too'

The hosts take on Salah's Egypt, Suarez's Uruguay and minnows Saudi Arabia in Group A of this summer's tournament.

However, it seems Russia and especially Kutepov won't be scared of facing some of the world's most prolific forwards.

He told reporters: "Am I afraid of Suarez? Of course I'm not because if needs be, I can bite himself". 

Turning his attention to Salah, Kutepov was just as controversial: "[His] game doesn't worry me either. How do you stop him? Well, you can do what Sergio Ramos did for example.

"He showed us one way of stopping him and I can't say that I was upset when I watched him get injured in the final.

"I wish him a quick recovery and I'll be happy if he plays at the World Cup because it helps you improve when you play against such a genius".