Russian Premier League side Tambov are heading to the FNL Cup as part of the winter training program. They will be joined by fellow RPL clubs Krylya Sovetov Samara and Ural Ekaterinburg in the 16-team friendly tournament in Paphos, Cyprus, from 14 to 27 February.

They are currently on their first training camp in Tambov until 21 January, with a practice match against Salyut Belgorod scheduled. Then they fly to Turkey on 26 January to play three matches against foreign top-flight clubs; Radnik Surdurlica from Serbia, FC Slovacko from the Czech Republic and Gorodeya from Belarus.

After returning to Russia on 7 February they fly out to take on Krylya Sovetov Samara, Chertanovo and Tom Tomsk in the group stage. Also competing are the Russia under-20 team and FC Riga from Latvia.

The FNL Cup has been running every year since 2012 and was expanded from two groups to four in 2015. Of the 14 Russian clubs taking part in this year’s edition 12 have appeared in the RPL while four (Kamaz Naberezhnye Chelny, Rotor Volgograd, Krylya Sovetov Samara and SKA Rostov) have qualified for UEFA competitions.