DUDLEY Zoo's Russian-named meerkats Oleg, Sergei, Mikhail and Aleksandr are all set for kick off later after their own World Cup warm-up.

Keeper Josh Luxton popped a papier mâché ball, bearing the FIFA World Cup Russia 2018 logo, into the meerkat enclosure so the mischievous mammals could have a kick about ahead of the first whistle.

Josh said: “Football fever has been building at Dudley Zoo as our four meerkat midfielders Oleg, Sergei, Mikhail and Aleksandr and the rest of the squad enjoyed a tasty training session.

“As they rolled the football around their enclosure, dried mealworms dribbled out of a small hole at the back of the ball and they scored some tasty treats.

“The soccer practice was a fun World Cup warm-up and encouraged the meerkats to use their natural hunting and tracking skills to get the food.”

The four meerkats are named after some of the furry meerkat characters in the popular TV and cinema ads for comparison giant Compare the Market.