The Nigeria's senior men's national team intensified preparations for Tuesday’s international friendly against Russia with a second training session in Nizhny Novgorod on Sunday evening.

 Eighteen players took part in the workout, including Bursaspor forward Kelechi Iheanacho, Paris FC winger Moses Simon and Chippa United goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali.

 With head coach Eric Chelle unable to call on nine members of his preferred starting XI, the trio are expected to play important roles when Nigeria take on Russia at the Sovcombank Arena.

 The Super Eagles have been hit by a number of withdrawals ahead of the encounter, with Wilfred Ndidi, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Raphael Onyedika and Akpe Victory among those ruled out.

 Nigeria will also be without key forwards Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman. Osimhen remains sidelined while recovering from injury, while Lookman was excused from the friendly after featuring in Nigeria’s back-to-back Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau.

 The other players who participated in Sunday’s training session were Akor Adams, Emmanuel Fernandez, Benjamin Frederick, Wilfred Igor, Samuel James, Kenneth Igboke, Chibuzor Nwoko, Umar Abubakar, Peter Edokpolor, Abdullahi Bewene, Umar Abdullai, Atata Michael, Aderemi Adeoye, Isaac James and Michael Stephen.

 The Super Eagles will face Russia at the Sovcombank Arena in Nizhny Novgorod on Tuesday, with kick-off scheduled for 18:00 Nigerian time.

 Chelle’s side will be seeking a response after suffering a surprise 3-0 defeat to Guinea-Bissau in their most recent outing.