RUS - Kirilenko likely sidelined until January

MOSCOW (Euroleague) - CSKA Moscow have been dealt a significant blow with Andrei Kirilenko now expected to be out of action at least until January with a shoulder injury.

The Russia national team star, who made the all-tournament team at the EuroBasket and signed with his former club during the NBA lockout, is the highest ranked player in the Turkish Airlines Euroleague but in a recent PBL game against Krasnye Krylia, Kirilenko caught an accidental elbow to the head, tripped and fell to the floor.

He broke his nose, suffered a cut on his brow and most worryingly of all, hurt his shoulder.

CSKA announced on Monday afternoon: "Andrei Kirilenko took additional tests today and consulted with experts in sports trauma. According to the verdict of doctors, contusion changes in the muscles and ligaments of the left shoulder will require long-term therapeutic measures. Taking into consideration the necessity of a long-term rehabilitation process and the need to get back into shape through practices, Kirilenko is likely to miss the remaining CSKA games in the year 2011."

Kirilenko has spent his entire NBA career with the Utah Jazz but was out of contract at the end of last season and wasn't able to negotiate with NBA teams because of the lockout.

In his contract with CSKA, Kirilenko can sign with an NBA team and return to America.

Injuries limited the 30-year-old to 64 of Utah's 82 games last season with Utah.

In 2008-09, he appeared in 67 games and the year after, just 58.

Kirilenko was the EuroBasket 2007 MVP and represented Russia at the 2008 Olympics.

He will play at next year's 12-team FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament from July 2 to 8, where three places for the London Games will be up for grabs.

FIBA