Ukraine blow as Shevchenko out of England clash

DONETSK, Ukraine (AFP) –

Ukraine suffered a late blow ahead of their crucial Euro 2012 Group D clash with England here Tuesday after Andrei Shevchenko, pictured on June 15, was ruled out through injury.

Ukraine suffered a late blow ahead of their crucial Euro 2012 Group D clash with England here Tuesday after Andrei Shevchenko was ruled out through injury.

Shevchenko’s absence was one of four changes made by Ukraine coach Oleg Blokhin as his side prepared for a must-win game against England, who only need a draw to reach the last eight.

Earlier, England manager Roy Hodgson resisted the temptation to pick Theo Walcott despite the Arsenal winger’s match-winning display against Sweden.

Walcott had made a strong case to start against Ukraine after scoring the equaliser and setting up the winner in the 3-2 win over the Swedes last Friday.

However, Hodgson has opted for the more defensive choice of James Milner on the right flank as England aim to secure the point they need to advance.

The only change to the starting XI which faced Sweden sees Wayne Rooney return as expected following the completion of his two-match suspension.

Rooney returns in attack in place of Andy Carroll, the Liverpool striker who impressed with the opening goal against Sweden.

England (4-4-2)

Joe Hart; Glen Johnson, John Terry, Joleon Lescott, Ashley Cole; James Milner, Scott Parker, Steven Gerrard (capt), Ashley Young; Wayne Rooney, Danny Welbeck

Coach: Roy Hodgson

Ukraine (4-4-2)

Andrei Pyatov; Oleg Gusev, Yaroslav Rakitskiy, Yevgeny Khacheridi, Yevgeny Selin; Andrei Yarmolenko, Anatoliy Tymoshchuk (capt), Denys Garmash, Yevgeny Konoplyanka; Andrei Voronin, Marko Devic

Coach: Oleg Blokhin

Referee: Viktor Kassai (HUN)