Bielyk blow for Shakhtar
Tuesday, July 15, 2003
Article summary
FC Shakhtar Donetsk have lost striker Olexiy Bielyk for their UEFA Champions League qualifying campaign.
Article body
Three months
The Ukrainian runners-up will be without the 22-year-old Bielyk, the club's top scorer last season, for up to three months. This means he will miss the second qualifying round tie against either FC Sheriff Tiraspol or FC Flora next month and then the third qualifying round, should they progress.
Group stage hope
"I have a groin injury and must undergo surgery in Germany in the next few days," Bielyk said. "It will take around three months to recover from it. So I will only be able to help my team at the end of the Champions League group stage, should we make it that far."
Plenty of goals
Bielyk has played 27 times for Ukraine's Under-21 side, scoring seven goals, and is still a key part of the side. He is tipped to make an impact at full international level, especially after scoring 21 goals for Shakhtar in 2002/03.
Goalkeeper loaned
Meanwhile, Shakhtar have loaned Polish goalkeeper Wojceh Kowalewski to GKS Górnik Leczna. However, he could still have a future in Ukraine, after signing a one-year contract extension with Shakhtar.
