Reading striker Pavel Pogrebnyak never doubted that Russia captain Igor Denisov would find a way back into the Zenit St. Petersburg team, Pogrebnyak told R-Sport on Thursday.
Russia captain Denisov was allowed back into the Zenit squad Thursday after a six-week exile in the reserves for arguing with management over the large salaries paid to new arrivals Hulk and Axel Witsel.
Zenit said Thursday that Denisov had apologised to the team and fans at a meeting with club officials.
Pogrebnyak, who played alongside Denisov for three seasons at Zenit and with Russia, said he had not thought the dispute intractable.
“This decision was to be expected,” Pogrebnyak said.
“In general, it was only a matter of time in Denisov’s return to the main squad.”
Pogrebnyak, 28, said Zenit could still reach the Champions League knockout stages despite being third in Group C with three points from three games ahead of their next match against last-placed Anderlecht.
“I think that Zenit have good chances to pass the Champions League group stage,” Pogrebnyak said.
“They need to beat Anderlecht and then there will be the finish line. Milan nowadays isn't Milan, it should be defeated.”
Zenit reached the knockout stages for the first time last season, but lost to Portugal's Benfica in the first knockout round.
