Ukraine's talismanic striker Andriy Shevchenko returned to training on Monday ahead of their Euro 2012 Group D showdown with England.
Ukraine hope striker will be fit for England clash
Ukraine's talismanic striker Andriy Shevchenko returned to training on Monday ahead of their Euro 2012 Group D showdown with England.
The co-hosts have to beat Roy Hodgson's men on Tuesday to qualify for the knock-out stages and will be desperately hoping Shevchenko is fit enough to take part.
Optimism is certainly growing after the 35-year-old took full part in a training session at the training ground of FC Metallurg in Donetsk.
Earlier, Ukraine doctor Leonid Mironov had revealed the former Chelsea striker was forced to miss training on Sunday as he could not bend his knee joint properly.
Shevchenko, who is Ukraine's record scorer with 48 goals and a former European Footballer of the Year, sustained the injury against Sweden last week.
The crowd favourite scored both goals in a 2-1 win that gives Ukraine hope of making the quarter-finals.
England, who have four points from their two group games so far, only need a draw against Oleg Blokhin's side in Donetsk to make it through to the next round.
50-50
Blokhin said: "It is hard to say whether Shevchenko will be fit but I would say his chances of being fit to face England are 50-50.
"There are still 24 hours to go before the game and we will do everything possible to get him fit.
"He is a big player for us and if he is unable to play it will be a big loss to us.
"But there are other players in my squad. I understand the interest in him but this press conference should not just be about Shevchenko."
