Blokhin baulks at Shevchenko quiz

Adjust font size:

KIEV, Ukraine -- Ukraine coach Oleg Blokhin has expressed his frustration at questions about the health and ability of striker Andriy Shevchenko ahead of Wednesday's Euro 2008 qualifier against group leaders Scotland.

"I would ask you not to raise this matter. I find it quite unpleasant. And it is creating some discomfort in my relations with Shevchenko," Blokhin told a news conference in Kiev.

"None of this is helping to create a proper climate in the team ... I have to get our guys ready psychologically."

Chelsea player Shevchenko, suffering from a virus, missed the 2-0 weekend defeat against Italy in Rome that left Ukraine with only three points from two matches and prompted speculation about the team's future.

"I would rather you criticize me for not selecting this or that player. Or for being too ambitious, or not ambitious enough," added Blokhin

Blokhin said that Shevchenko was no longer ill, had been in training for the last three days and had joined the rest of the team.

Ukraine though will be without defender Volodymyr Yezersky, suspended after picking up two yellow cards, while Andriy Gusin, Serhiy Rebrov, Vladislav Vashchuk and Serhiy Fyodorov are all missing with long-term injuries.

Get up-to-the minute news from CNN CNN.com gives you the latest stories and video from the around the world, with in-depth coverage of U.S. news, politics, entertainment, health, crime, tech and more.

---

• Beating Simon Cowell at his own game
• Clashes kill 73 Saudi security force members
• Pakistan court orders ears, noses hacked off
• TV talent show exposes China's race issue
• Poll: Tiger Woods' popularity falls

• Irish PM to quit over payments scandal
• NATO chief: Afghan troop increase likely
• Militants hunted as calm retuns to Basra
• Pressure on Bush to skip Olympics
• BA sending misplaced T5 baggage to Milan

• Recruiting suicide bombers (2:50)
• London was lucky (2:36)
• Cars in London rigged as bombs (3:48)
• Second explosives-packed car foun (2:32)
• Soviet culture returns (3:47)