Ukraine and AC Milan striker Andriy Shevchenko will be out of action for the rest of May and is in a race against time to be fully-fit for the World Cup Finals.

The 29-year-old former European Footballer of the Year suffered minor knee ligament damage during AC Milan's Serie A game against Parma on Sunday.

The striker underwent tests on the problem this morning which confirmed ligament damage even if they ruled out the need for surgery.

“The player doesn't need surgery but will only be able to return to play in 25 days' time,” said a statement on the official AC Milan website.

The Ukrainian international, who will be his country’s star player at their first major tournament, limped out of the Parma victory after just eight minutes on Sunday.

Shevchenko’s season with Milan is now over and there are even some whispers on Monday claiming that he’s played his last game for the club, with Schevchenko being touted for a move to Premiership champions Chelsea in the summer.

This injury will be a blow to Ukraine head coach Oleg Blokhin’s World Cup preparations, as the team have been hugely dependent on the star striker in the past.

Ukraine, who will be playing in their first World Cup Finals, have been drawn in Group H alongside Saudi Arabia, Spain and Tunisia.

Bookmark/Search this post with:

delicious | digg | google | yahoo | technorati