Pavlyuchenko is behind Robbie Keane, Jermain Defoe and Peter Crouch in the pecking order at White Hart Lane.
Russia face Slovenia in their two-legged World Cup play-off over the coming weeks.
“Yes, there is that danger [he could be left out],” said Hiddink.
“It will depend on other strikers. I’m not going to take six forwards for one position.”
Hiddink left Alexander Kerzhakov out of his Euro 2008 squad.
He added: “A similar situation could arise in 2010 and Roman should remember this.
“But we know how Pavlyuchenko can improve in the run up to the World Cup.
“When we began preparing for Euro 2008, he was not in good form.
“But with three to four weeks of heavy training he lost four kilos and put himself in a position that allowed him to perform well at the European Championship.”
