P.Vieira did not race against "Spartak" © EuroFootball.com

France's national team and AC Milan's defender Patrick Vieira will miss the UEFA Champions League match against Moscow's "Spartak" because he did not have time to recover from a heel injury.

The 30-year-old player suffered the injury in last Saturday's Milan derby, which ended in a 4-3 victory for "Inter" after a fluctuating and dramatic fight.

Inter's head coach Roberto Mancini announced the list of players who will travel to the Russian capital after the "Serie A" match, and Vieira's name was not included.

It is believed that Argentine long-time team player and captain Javier Zanetti will play in place of the Frenchman.