Ukraine

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Sheva may be benched

17 Jun 2006 - 11:53:42

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Ukraine talisman Andriy Shevchenko believes he is getting close to full fitness, but he is still not a definite starter for the crucial clash with Saudi Arabia.

The 29-year-old Chelsea new boy failed to impress in the 4-0 rout by Spain on his country's debut in the World Cup finals and may yet be left on the bench by coach Oleg Blokhin.

Talking of the possibility of reuniting the former Dynamo Kyiv duo Shevchenko and Serhiy Rebrov, Blokhin said: "Yes, they played well together at Dynamo, but that doesn't mean to say Shevchenko is going to play now.

"Playing them together is a possibility though and if that is what it takes to get a result, then I will do it."

Meanwhile, Shevchenko said of his fitness: "Every moment on the field during the Spain match I was striving to rediscover my form.

"I felt better after the game but I still need match practice."