Shevchenko unfit for Ukraine

Buryak hope
Ukraine coach Leonid Buryak had hoped his biggest star would be able to return in time to play against Northern Ireland next Wednesday and had even included him in the squad for the game against Greece on Saturday.

'Andriy not ready'
"Milan have recommended Shevchenko stays out of the games for Ukraine," Buryak said. "Andriy is not ready to play yet, and he is in a special recovery process, which foresees him training with the ball only from Thursday. Even if he had come [with us] it would have been difficult for him after two months on the sidelines."

'We fully understand'
"We have a good relationship with Milan, and we fully understand their concern for Shevchenko," added Grygory Surkis, the president of the Football Federation of Ukraine. Despite Shevchenko's absence Buryak still has four forwards at his disposal - Tottenham Hotspur FC's Serhiy Rebrov, Andriy Vorobey of FC Shakhtar Donetsk, FC Dynamo Kyiv striker Olexandr Melaschenko and, returning after a long absence, FC Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk forward and current Ukrainian league top scorer Oleh Venhlinsky.

Dmytrulin doubt
"It would be easier with Shevchenko, but there is no other way but to win without him," midfield player Hennadiy Zubov said ahead of the game. Aside from Shevchenko, Dynamo defender Yuri Dmytrulin is also doubtful for the upcoming games, although he is staying in the squad for the time being.