Chelsea Football Club

• Nickname:Blues
• Founded:1905
• Manager:Jose Mourinho

• Ground:Stamford Bridge
• Capacity:42440

Sheva to miss FA Cup final

07 May 2007 - 17:35:49

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Chelsea have revealed that Andriy Shevchenko will miss the FA Cup final after undergoing surgery to correct a hernia problem.

The £30million Ukraine striker has missed the last two matches with the groin injury but the Blues were hopeful the surgery could be put on hold until the summer.

However, following consultation with the club's medical staff, Shevchenko will have surgery on Tuesday and will miss the remaining fixtures of the season - including the FA Cup final meeting with Manchester United on May 19.

Shevchenko has scored just four times in the Premiership since his transfer from AC Milan last summer and his inability to hold down a regular first-team place has led to continued speculation of a strained relationship with manager Jose Mourinho.

"Andriy Shevchenko will have a groin hernia operation tomorrow (Tuesday)," read a club statement.

"The decision was taken by the Chelsea medical department to bring the operation forward.

"It had originally been scheduled for after the end of the season."

Meanwhile, Didier Drogba missed Sunday's 1-1 draw with Arsenal as Chelsea conceded the Premiership title to Manchester United, but is expected to be fit to lead the line for Wednesday's Premiership meeting with the Red Devils at Stamford Bridge.